Disconnected Rumblings

Great Flowchart for the Palindrone

2008-10-03T17:36:00.002-06:00

Elite Won't Stick on EVERY Dem!

2008-09-22T13:33:00.002-06:00

You Want Lies?

2008-09-12T13:21:00.003-06:00

Lies? You want lies? Well McCain is selling plenty of them this election. Here's one:

Thanks Sarah Palin you just got me back into my blog!!

2008-09-04T12:57:00.002-06:00

Thanks so much Sarah Palin, thanks to your speech last night you have finally lit the fire under me that I needed to start posting here again. When you belittled all the hard working community organizers across this country, you not only denigrated me and countless others in this fine country you have belittled THIS MAN:

About Sums It Up

2007-04-28T22:04:00.001-06:00

Yeah this about says it all. It sums up what people on my side of the fence are concerned about this war and what this administration has done.

Saudis: Foiled plot mirrored 9/11 attack

Sheik Majed al-Marsal, a religious adviser to the Saudi Interior Ministry, told the independent Al-Watan newspaper that he believes Iraq has become the new Afghanistan.

Terror groups "are exploiting the situation in Iraq, recruiting young men, equipping them and training them and then sending them back to work inside their home countries just like what happened in Afghanistan," the cleric was quoted as saying.

What we are doing in Iraq is NOT making us safer, simply put, it is making us less safe, and I begin to wonder just what shrub is trying to do.

W A R

2007-04-11T15:12:00.000-06:00

Hello I am back.

This is all so tragic, and yet no one seems to really recognize that fact. The truth is shrub is wrong to continue full steam ahead on the course he has u.s. on now, but the democrats are not stepping up to the plate to stop this.

You can pass all sorts of non-binding resolutions you want, but you KNOW the idiot isn't going to listen to you. But OHHHH then you can say, "well see, at least we expressed our will".

Well you know what ?! It doesn't fucking matter! You expressing "our will" does not stop our troops from dying. You expressing "our will" does not stop innocent Iraqi citizens from dying. You expressing "our will" in fact does absolutely NOTHING but show how ineffectual you all really are!

If you want to prove to me otherwise then go back to the ORIGINAL authorization bill and CHANGE it! Yes that authorization bill, that bill that should NEVER have been passed in that form EVER! Any congressional rep who was "serving" during that time should be ashamed that you voted for it.

So go back and change that authorization. Enforce restrictions on escalation. Enforce status goals to reach each quarter. Make some god damn accountability, not this blank check that you wrote the blunderer in chief back in 2002.

The clock is ticking congress.

VICTORY!

2006-11-08T22:54:00.000-07:00

Well it was a long slog, but finally America has begun its move in the right direction.

I hope this is the end of the horrible adulteration of the Republican Party and the Conservative movement, that has plagued this country for the last four to six years. Neo-cons, your time is over, go AWAY.

2 Weeks

2006-10-24T12:53:00.000-06:00

2 weeks from today we vote for change. Enough is enough, if you want to change the direction this country is going in vote for change. Vote early if you can.

And rep bud if you are still listening, I KNOW you won't vote for change, but that's ok, because alot more people will.

We Will Not Forget.

2006-09-11T16:30:00.000-06:00

Please Stop!!!

2006-07-14T18:16:00.000-06:00

Caption: An Israeli man, no name available, sits next to the covered body of his 5-year-old son in the northern Israeli village of Meron Friday July 14, 2006. The boy and his grandmother were killed during a rocket attack by Hezbollah guerrillas from neighboring Lebanon. Two days of rocket attacks, mostly in northern Israel, have left four Israelis dead. Nearly 50 other people have been injured as fierce fighting between Israel and the Lebanese militants entered its third day. (AP Photo/Haim Azulay)

Please stop this senseless death and destruction. Please please please please please.

This is horrible, I can't even imagine the pain in this man in the picture above. I don't know what else to say. This world is grim indeed.

And this child's horror, below, god, no one deserves this, NO ONE!

A Palestinian child injured in Israeli {sic} attacks on Gaza yesterday (Alquds Alarabi, 7/13/06).

It's Been Awhile

2006-06-28T18:14:00.000-06:00

I know, its been awhile, you have all missed me so much.

I just have a few things I would like to say. First of all, even though I think Rush Limbaugh is an a**hole, and a significant threat to our country, I am going to make you all gasp out loud right now...

I think what the Sheriff's office did to him at the airport is disgusting. They should not have released to the public that Rush was carrying Viagra. It is embarrassing, and a violation of his privacy. Its a shame, he obviously went through the trouble to not have his name on the pill bottle so as to avoid the embarrassment of the public knowing that he needed to take Viagra. Just because he is a public person, does not mean he should be subjected to this embarrassment and harassment. Yes I said harassment. I think the sheriff's office might have it in for him, and that's not right.

I know I have traveled through airports and condensed some various prescription pills into one bottle, and I would be pretty pissed off if they gave me a hard time about it. That is private, and I don't really think that policing small bottles of prescription drugs that don't have your name on it is something the TSA needs to be concentrating on in these times. Once again priorities are all out of wack.

Along those lines, why in the hell, with everything going on in the world these days, does the congress deem it necessary to take up a flag burning amendment to the constitution? What the hell?! We face numerous hugely important issues that need to be addressed, yet our elected officials are debating a flag burning amendment?! What is wrong with these people? No matter what side of the debate you are on, you must admit that this is just stupid to waste precious time on. I just can't believe it.

And then there was this today: Top court upholds most of Texas redistricting plan

"The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld almost all of a bitterly contested Texas congressional map engineered by then-Rep. Tom DeLay to help solidify Republican control of the U.S. House of Representatives."

That's too bad. They are basically opening the door to allow congressional districts to be redrawn whenever it is politically convenient. This effectively makes the drawing of congressional lines a distinctly political maneuver, when it should be exactly the opposite, it should be a tool to evenly divide a state's population into congressional districts, so that every person is equally represented in the United States House of Representatives.

But no one cares. As long as it didn't work to the disadvantage of the Republicans, they won't say anything, and the Democrats apparently can't say anything themselves. Just another example of the deterioration of our democracy.

Good Luck

2006-06-02T18:44:00.000-06:00

Bush promoting ban on gay marriage

"President George W. Bush will promote a constitutional ban on gay marriage on the eve of a Senate vote next week, weighing in on an issue that could rally his wavering conservative base in an election year.

Though the proposed constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage stands little chance of passing, it is one of several hot-button causes Republicans are championing to appeal to right-wing voters ahead of November's congressional ballot."

Good luck you pandering piece of sh*t!

Humility is Bliss

2006-05-26T22:09:00.000-06:00

Well its a little late for humility, but hey he wants to stop the bleeding.

Bush adopts humility on Iraq; policy unchanged

"President George W. Bush, beset by public doubts about his leadership, has opted for a more humble tone in discussing the Iraq war, including admitting mistakes, as a way to rebuild his credibility, analysts said on Friday.
...
Bush was unusually frank in discussing his mistakes in a war that has killed more than 2,400 Americans and thousands of Iraqis, saying he regretted the 'Bring 'em on' challenge he issued to Iraqi insurgents in July 2003.

He said the remark was the 'kind of tough talk, you know, that sent the wrong message to people.'"

Well isn't that nice. F*** You A**hole! You are everything that is wrong about our entire leadership in this country. Do us all a favor and go home to texas, or is that Massachusetts? Whatever, just go away. Oh and if any of you republicans want to continue to be apologists for this president, do yourself a favor and give it up, because I really don't want to hear it.

Hatebreed

2006-05-19T22:35:00.000-06:00

You know I have been thinking. All this talk about immigration, it got me thinking. Those conservatives are right. These f***king wetbacks deserve to be shot if they even think about trying to cross our imaginary border! F*** them, they aren't even human. No really there have been studies, they are not as fully developed as us white rich men. In fact they should all learn english, even if they are still in mexico. After all we are the more civilized bunch, and they should learn to assimilate. Don't forget, if you get weak in the wrist about shooting these bastards at the border, the ones who have gotten in have caused all sorts of problems, trying to eat in OUR restaurants, using OUR water fountains, and OUR pools! Causing all sorts of crime, I mean we all know that immigrants cause all of the crime in this country. If they just leave our country then everything will be fine.

So here's a message for all you sp*cs: Get the F*** OUT of OUR country!

What year is it?

No KGB in America!

2006-05-11T21:56:00.000-06:00

NO!

Bush faces storm over huge spy phone call database

"Lawmakers have vowed to investigate revelations that a US spy agency was tracking the phone records of tens of millions of Americans as President George W. Bush insisted that privacy rights were not under threat."

Nothing to See Here

2006-05-10T22:42:00.000-06:00

Move along, nothing to see here.

Security Issue Kills Domestic Spying Probe

"The government has abruptly ended an inquiry into the warrantless eavesdropping program because the National Security Agency refused to grant Justice Department lawyers the necessary security clearance to probe the matter."

Move along.

Then there is this warning.

US general warns of Taliban resurgence

"Attacks by the Taliban in southern Afghanistan are on the rise and the rebels fighting US forces are increasingly using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and suicide bombings, US Lieutenant General Karl Eikenberry said.

Eikenberry, a commanding general of US forces in Afghanistan, told reporters at a Pentagon briefing that the number of Taliban fighters also appears to have increased in recent months."

Remember Afghanistan? That country that we invaded back in 2002 in direct response to the terrorist attack on our country on September 11th. Yeah well remember how we should have stayed and finished the job there, instead of shipping off to Iraq to fight a war of questionable motives? Yeah that country, that country is in danger, and we must NOT let them be again overtaken by the Taliban.

Pay attention, this is where we should be right now, not in Iraq, what a disgrace.

Goss Resigns

2006-05-05T22:44:00.000-06:00

Today, good news for people who like good news.

CIA director Goss stuns with resignation

"Porter Goss has abruptly resigned as CIA director, plunging the embattled US spy agency into new uncertainty as it seeks to rebuild from a series of intelligence failures in the war on terrorism and Iraq.

No reason was given for the resignation which was announced by President George W. Bush at the White House."

Good riddance, don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.

"The agency is under an ethics cloud after its number three official, executive director Kyle 'Dusty' Foggo, became the subject of a CIA Inspector General investigation. It was not clear however whether a link exists between the probe and the resignation of Goss."

Yes I wonder.

This administration is a stain on this country, and it must be removed. All of you administration apologists are sick, how far do his ratings have to go before you realize this is a sinking ship?

Where Have You Been?

2006-04-28T19:48:00.000-06:00

Seriously, what is going on? I have been waiting.

In the news: FOX News Anchor Tony Snow takes over as WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY.

Bush names Tony Snow press secretary

"President George W. Bush named Fox News Radio host Tony Snow as White House press secretary on Wednesday in his latest move to shake up his staff and breathe new life into his presidency."

Yes you did not read this wrong, the White House has hired a cable news channel anchor as the next press secretary. Next week look for Rush Limbaugh to be named the new Labor Secretary, and Bill O'Reily the new Secretary of Defense.

And then there is this:

Mexico to decriminalize pot, cocaine and heroin

"Possessing marijuana, cocaine and even heroin will no longer be a crime in Mexico if the drugs are carried in small amounts for personal use, under legislation passed by Congress."

Anyone in the mood for a trip to Mexico? It's only 3 1/2 hours from here. I'm in, who else?

And finally tonight, there is this story that really needs to come to the top of the news heap.

Public pressure mounts on US to act on Darfur

"Public pressure is growing on the Bush administration to work harder to stop atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region, even as options narrow over how to tackle what the United States labels genocide."

If we label this as genocide than any human being has to act accordingly to prevent this senseless death and suffering from continuing. I hope we can persuade China and Russia to vote to allow the UN to intervene in Darfur to help the massively overburdened 7,000 African Union troops.

Big News

2006-04-19T21:35:00.000-06:00

Scott McClellan, the White House Press Secretary who over the last 2.5 years has LIED for this administration many times, has resigned. Big woop. But the bigger story is that Rove has been "officially" removed from domestic policy functions. Right, I'm sure we can really check up on that to make sure.

Rove reassigned, McClellan to go amid White House staff shuffle

"Bush freed up Rove from duties overseeing US domestic policy to enable him to focus on crafting a winning strategy for his Republican Party in November's mid-term elections."

I'm just salivating waiting for the next head to roll. The idiot really wants us to believe that he is making huge changes, yeah right, until the f*cking bastard, lord of darkness DICK cheney resigns, and f*ckface Rummy gets the boot, we are still in the same sh*t that we are now.

If we all buy this crap then I am going to be really disappointed in the country. We can do better, and god help us we will. It is going to take a long time to fix this country, but it can be done. What a nightmare this has been. I can only hope that this will all be over soon.

And in other news, there was this comment.

"The global oil price has not reached its real value yet. The products derived from crude oil are sold at prices dozens of times higher than those charged by oil-producing countries...

...The developed nations are the biggest beneficiary of the added value of oil products...

...The products derived from crude oil cost over 10 times the price of oil sold by producing states. Developed and powerful countries benefit more from its value-added than any party"

So who made these statements? Some liberal anti-oil industry blowhard? HAHA, no the one and only Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. So how do you think this country will respond to these outrageous comments? You guessed it, this guy is a nut, and anything he says is meaningless. And that is a shame because for once he has a valid point. Yes he denies the holocaust, and wants to "wipe Israel off the map" which is disgusting and disturbing, BUT we need to look at this statement as if someone else said it, because this issue deserves some actual consideration. We need to have this discourse.

Ask yourself a question, is it coincidence that as the administration begins to saber rattle against Iran, that the price of a barrel of oil leaps up in response and the oil and gas industry makes record profits. Oh and the retiring president of Exxon gets a retirement package of $400 million!

Folks we are being taken, we are the pawns in this game, and all of this conveniently makes the industry reel in record profits of BILLIONS and BILLIONS of dollars each month! Profits, straight profits! This is insane, and call me a communist if you want, but we need some serious government regulations and restrictions on this industry, because it a national security matter. Please someone wake up, its time.

Going Up Again

2006-04-18T22:47:00.000-06:00

Yep, a barrel of crude oil has now passed $70 and hit above $72 today. An all time high. Isn't that great? I know, I know, adjusted for inflation it still isn't as bad as back in the 70s, great, that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. All I know is paying for gas to simply get back and forth to work is seriously eating into my ability to pay my bills and purchase other things. Gas prices here have now gone up over 13 cents in one day to average about $2.85 a gallon.

Why are we not publicly funding REAL hybrid and alternative fuel vehicle research and development? Anyone want to really think about this? Really roll it around in the noggin, even the least cynical person has to admit that the oil and gas industry is huge and it is not in their interest to actually allow alternative fuels to take off, this is counter productive to our national security, and must be responded to as such.

We are in a heap of trouble, and its going to get really bad soon, rather than later.

How Much Do We Need?

2006-04-12T22:08:00.000-06:00

Well how much do we need before we realize this man has taken this country for a ride, that will cost us into the future for a generation or more?

White House angrily denies report on Iraqi WMD

"The White House vehemently denounced a US newspaper report suggesting President George W. Bush insisted on the existence of biological weapons laboratories in Iraq while knowing the claim was false."

Really? I can't believe that.

"On May 29, 2003, Bush proclaimed that the trailers, located just weeks after the start of the US-led invasion of Iraq, were long-sought mobile 'biological laboratories'.

'We have found the weapons of mass destruction,' the president said confidently at the time.

Two days before the president's statement, however, a secret Pentagon-sponsored mission had returned findings that the trailers were not suited for the production of biological weapons, according to the Post, citing unnamed government officials.

The claim was repeated by top administration officials for months, even though US intelligence officials had received the findings of the Pentagon experts determining that the allegations were not true, the Post reported."

Yeah I am sure he had NO IDEA that this report was already out, I'm sure. Just so incredulous. Sigh. I can't believe what this country has to now endure with this man at the helm. What a terrible terrible destiny.

Retired general's Iraq critique hits a nerve at the Pentagon

2006-04-11T23:20:00.000-06:00

Retired general's Iraq critique hits a nerve at the Pentagon

"A retired Marine Corps general has struck a nerve here by criticizing the US military brass for remaining silent while the Bush administration's marched the country into an 'invented war' in Iraq.

...the attacks by retired Lieutenant General Gregory Newbold and two other prominent retired military leaders have brought to the surface long-standing frictions between the military and its civilian leaders over Iraq.

The generals have called for the resignation of US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, blaming him for, among other things, not committing enough troops to secure Iraq after the 2003 invasion."

Damn right, that bastard needs to be thrown out on his ass!

Prez Authorized Classified Material Leaks?

2006-04-06T23:13:00.000-06:00

Oh how surprising.

Bush authorized leaks on Iraq: court documents

"President George W. Bush authorized intelligence leaks ahead of the US invasion of Iraq, indicted former top White House aide I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby said in court papers."

This administration is dirty. They have shown that they don't follow any laws so why should they think twice about authorizing leaks of classified information for their own selfish gain? I hope these bastards get thrown out on their asses!

Delay Giving Up

2006-04-03T22:58:00.000-06:00

It was reported tonight that everyone's favorite Congressman Tom DeLay is dropping out of the race for his Congressional seat and may step down from Congress all together.

DeLay to drop from congressional race

"Rep. Tom DeLay, the former majority leader in the House of Representatives ensnared in a widening lobbying corruption scandal, will drop out of his re-election race, House Republican leadership aides confirmed on Monday.

He may also retire from Congress next month, they said."

Well its about time. You sir are the epitome of everything that is wrong with the leadership of this country right now. Good riddance you f**king bastard! Hope you get to go to jail too after all of this, right where you belong.

Another Memo

2006-03-27T22:14:00.000-07:00

Another memo, and once again very little coverage in the United States media. This from the New York Times.

Bush Was Set on Path to War, British Memo Says

"...behind closed doors, the president was certain that war was inevitable. During a private two-hour meeting in the Oval Office on Jan. 31, 2003, he made clear to Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain that he was determined to invade Iraq without the second resolution, or even if international arms inspectors failed to find unconventional weapons, said a confidential memo about the meeting written by Mr. Blair's top foreign policy adviser and reviewed by The New York Times."

Oh I'm sure the top foreign policy adviser to Tony Blair is just a partisan hack who has an ax to grind, and this memo means nothing, and proves nothing.

"'Our diplomatic strategy had to be arranged around the military planning,' David Manning, Mr. Blair's chief foreign policy adviser at the time, wrote in the memo that summarized the discussion between Mr. Bush, Mr. Blair and six of their top aides.

'The start date for the military campaign was now penciled in for 10 March,' Mr. Manning wrote, paraphrasing the president. 'This was when the bombing would begin.'"

And even more disturbing, at least to me, are these comments from our fearless leader.

"The memo also shows that the president and the prime minister acknowledged that no unconventional weapons had been found inside Iraq. Faced with the possibility of not finding any before the planned invasion, Mr. Bush talked about several ways to provoke a confrontation, including a proposal to paint a United States surveillance plane in the colors of the United Nations in hopes of drawing fire, or assassinating Mr. Hussein."

Ok everyone, remember there is nothing to see here, go on your merry way. War is no big deal. This president violated our trust that he would never send our troops into harms way unless it was absolutely warranted. He has made this country the schoolyard bully, and it makes me sad.

Disgraceful

2006-03-22T22:38:00.000-07:00

Well there was this today.

Abu Ghraib dog handler gets jail for abuse

"A U.S. Army dog handler was sentenced to six months in prison for tormenting detainees at Baghdad's notorious Abu Ghraib jail with his unmuzzled Belgian shepherd, an Army spokeswoman said on Wednesday."

Well good, so he got some prison time for committing these terrible acts. But there's a problem see.

"Human rights observers at Smith's trial said it implicated higher-ranking military officials who so far have not been held accountable for the abuses at Abu Ghraib.

'Our soldiers shouldn't be forced to sort out what manners of interrogation are permissible by watching who is convicted of what,' said Jean Aylward, a lawyer with Human Rights First, an activist group. 'The rules need to be clear in advance and senior commanders and civilian leaders who intentionally muddy those waters must be held accountable.'"

It is truly truly disgraceful that these soldiers who were simply following orders are taking the fall for this, and NO one higher up in the chain of command is being held accountable. It's wrong. I hope these people are marched out of the Pentagon in chains, that is what they deserve.

F*CK YOU Rumsfield!

Sad, Infuriating, Disgusting

2006-03-20T22:11:00.000-07:00

FBI Agent Slams Bosses at Moussaoui Trial

"The FBI agent who arrested Zacarias Moussaoui in August 2001 testified Monday he spent almost four weeks trying to warn U.S. officials about the radical Islamic student pilot but 'criminal negligence' by superiors in Washington thwarted a chance to stop the 9/11 attacks."

Read the full story it is very disturbing indeed.

"Under questioning from MacMahon, Samit acknowledged that he had told the Justice Department inspector general that "obstructionism, criminal negligence and careerism" on the part of FBI headquarters officials had prevented him from getting a warrant that would have revealed more about Moussaoui's associates. He said that opposition blocked 'a serious opportunity to stop the 9/11 attacks.'"

You see there is incompetence in all levels of our government, what a damn shame. I'm sorry I just can't say how I feel about all of this. Anyways, I grew up thinking that we had the brightest and best, most competent individuals protecting our fine country. I guess its a fact of life that when we grow up we realize the world is a very different place.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

2006-03-17T21:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Saint Pat's!

Back

2006-03-15T22:46:00.000-07:00

So I didn't mention before I left that we were going to Denver. Well I am back and out of the political loop now. I saw today that at the same time Congress is debating extending tax cuts including the tax cuts on dividends and capital gains, they are also going to vote to up the national debt limit for the fifth time since shrub has been in office.

Senate, House begin talks on tax cut bill

"Congressional negotiators on Wednesday began negotiations on a $70 billion tax cut package that Republican leaders are insisting include an extension of tax breaks for capital gains and dividends."

Likely Vote to Up National Debt Looms

"Senate Republicans cast symbolic campaign-season votes Wednesday to increase spending for border and port security - one day before a likely vote to increase the national debt by an additional $781 billion, to $9 trillion.

The uncomfortable vote to increase the debt is the fourth since President Bush took office"

Speaks volumes about this government and its utter failure.

At least people seem to be finally catching on.

Poll: Bush approval at 33 percent

"President George W. Bush has hit a new public approval low in the Pew poll, with just 33 percent of adults saying they approve of his performance in office."

Dubai, Goodbye, Patriot Act Redux

2006-03-09T22:53:00.000-07:00

Dubai pulls out. The prez says he had nothing to do with it, oh sure.

DP World pulls out of US ports, rescuing Bush from firestorm

"A Dubai government-owned company said it will sell its US port operations in a move that spared President George W. Bush a showdown with Congress.

Dubai Ports World (DP World) made the announcement after leading Republicans told Bush that Congress would block the takeover."

Oh and today he signed the "Patriot" Act back into law, bravo.

Bush signs Patriot Act renewal

"President George W. Bush signed a renewal of the USA Patriot Act on Thursday, hailing it as vital to the war on terrorism, but a key congressional critic said it lacked adequate safeguards for civil liberties."

Port Deal Done?

2006-03-08T21:21:00.000-07:00

Finally Congress is getting smarter and realizes that something needs to be done about this port deal. Or maybe they just want to try to save their asses in the upcoming election. But either way a win for America.

GOP House Panel Votes to Block Ports Deal

"In a congressional election-year repudiation of President Bush, a House panel dominated by Republicans voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to block a Dubai-owned firm from taking control of some U.S port operations. Democrats clamored for a vote in the Senate, too.

By 62-2, the House Appropriations Committee voted to bar DP World, run by the government of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, from holding leases or contracts at U.S. ports. The landslide vote was the strongest signal yet that more than three weeks of White House efforts to stunt congressional opposition to the deal have not been successful."

Now Democrats are trying to get a similar vote in the Senate. If that is successful lets see shrub commit political suicide for his entire party by vetoing the bill.

Your time is over. Our momentum is building.

Patriot Act Renewed

2006-03-07T22:16:00.000-07:00

Well this just proves that your representatives in congress do not care about your civil liberties.

Congress Renews Patriot Act; Bush to Sign

"The House renewed the USA Patriot Act in a cliffhanger vote Tuesday night, extending a centerpiece of the war on terrorism at President Bush's urging after months of political combat over the balance between privacy rights and the pursuit of potential terrorists.
...
The vote was 280-138, just two more than needed under special rules that required a two-thirds majority. The close vote caught senior Republican aides in both chambers by surprise."

I'm sorry this set of laws is just so flawed that, for me, it trumps all value it has in fighting terrorism. And the fact that the representatives gave their blessing to this law with really no concessions to protect our civil liberties makes me sad. These lawmakers had it in their power to force real protections for our civil liberties into a new "Patriot Act" and at the same time strengthening the terrorism protection clauses, but they chose to give this administration a small political win at our expense. Well great, that makes me feel all wonderful.

In other news

Senate panel rejects bid for NSA inquiry

"Senate Republicans on Tuesday agreed to expand oversight of President George W. Bush's domestic spying program but rejected Democratic pressure for a broad inquiry into eavesdropping on U.S. citizens."

Yeah this really isn't any big thing. I think we have all decided that everything is on the up and up, and the prez did nothing wrong, and that these powers would never be abused. Right right, oh well no big. Good luck. The sooner these bastards are out of power the better.

...A Good Start

2006-03-03T23:43:00.000-07:00

The punchline to that lawyer joke, about lawyers at the bottom of the sea or something. Anyways, In the news today;

GOOD!

Ex-congressman Cunningham sentenced to 8 years

"Former U.S. Congressman Randy 'Duke' Cunningham, who pleaded guilty last year to taking $2.4 million in bribes, was sentenced by a federal judge on Friday to eight years and four months in prison."

Now if we can just get good old boy Tom Delay in the can too, and while we are at it;

I'm sorry to be the typical, "hysterical" liberal, but you know what, I have had enough. This country is scarred forever. September 11th really hurt this country but all that has happened since is just as damaging.

shrub: Hidden Incompetency

2006-03-01T21:58:00.000-07:00

I know, the title may seem like an oxymoron, but seriously, what else does America need to see that this man is completely and utterly incapable of taking meeting the intense and gravely important responsibility of the highest office in the country?

So today I read a report of a video that was obtained by the media, in which shrub is literally phoning it in.

Tape: Bush, Chertoff Warned Before Katrina

"In dramatic and sometimes agonizing terms, federal disaster officials warned President Bush and his homeland security chief before Hurricane Katrina struck that the storm could breach levees, put lives at risk in New Orleans' Superdome and overwhelm rescuers, according to confidential video footage.

Bush didn't ask a single question during the final briefing before Katrina struck on Aug. 29, but he assured soon-to-be-battered state officials: 'We are fully prepared.'"

Unfortunately he was gravely wrong.

"Linked by secure video, Bush expressed a confidence on Aug. 28 that starkly contrasted with the dire warnings his disaster chief and numerous federal, state and local officials provided during the four days before the storm.

A top hurricane expert voiced 'grave concerns' about the levees and then-Federal Emergency Management Agency chief Michael Brown told the president and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff that he feared there weren't enough disaster teams to help evacuees at the Superdome."

Any response from the top official in this country? NO. We pray for everyone, and we are prepared; hollow words.

So why am I so critical of the prez based on one video where he doesn't ask any questions, and seems rather disconnected from reality? Well because of the defense from the White House.

"The White House and Homeland Security Department urged the public Wednesday not to read too much into the video footage.

'I hope people don't draw conclusions from the president getting a single briefing,' presidential spokesman Trent Duffy said, citing a variety of orders and disaster declarations Bush signed before the storm made landfall. 'He received multiple briefings from multiple officials, and he was completely engaged at all times.'"

The fact that these handlers think it is needed to say things like "the president was fully engaged", and "don't judge the president's response from this ONE video", blah blah. Uh huh, I think thee doth protest too much.

Oh in other news:

Bush poll slump put Republicans on edge

"Bush's approval rating dropped to an all-time low of 34 percent in a CBS poll this week and has been mired around a lackluster 40 percent in other recent polls."

Yes he is one of the worst Presidents this fine country has ever had. What a shame that we could not remove him in November of 2004. Oh well.

Happy Mardi Gras!

2006-02-28T19:29:00.000-07:00

The Beginning

2006-02-22T22:18:00.000-07:00

Well it has begun.

South Dakota passes abortion ban

"South Dakota became the first U.S. state to pass a law banning abortion in virtually all cases, with the intention of forcing the Supreme Court to reconsider its 1973 decision legalizing the procedure.

The law, which would punish doctors who perform the operation with a five-year prison term and a $5,000 fine, awaits the signature of Republican Gov. Michael Rounds and people on both sides of the issue say he is unlikely to veto it.
...
The timing is right, supporters say, given the recent appointments of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito to the high court. The two conservatives could pave the way to a decision overturning Roe v. Wade."

Everyone seemed not too concerned that voting for shrub in 2004 would allow him to appoint at least two Supreme Court Justices. And then they said, oh well its not like it will make any difference to us if he does appoint some super conservative justices. Oh wait, wait to see what their reactions will be when they realize that or freedoms are being wrestled away from us. Our right to privacy, the right of a woman to make the tough decisions about what to do with her body, will be taken away.

Oh well, no one is paying attention anyways I suppose.

Port Security

2006-02-21T22:20:00.000-07:00

Bush Shrugs Off Objections to Port Deal

"Brushing aside objections from Republicans and Democrats alike, President Bush endorsed the takeover of shipping operations at six major U.S. seaports by a state-owned business in the United Arab Emirates. He pledged to veto any bill Congress might approve to block the agreement.
...
'It sends a terrible signal to friends around the world that it's OK for a company from one country to manage the port, but not a country that plays by the rules and has got a good track record from another part of the world,' Bush said."

I'm sorry, I am not one of those, oh my god these A-rabs are going to kill us all if they take over these ports, people. No I think that Americans should be in charge of protecting American ports. Call me old fashioned if you will, but it just seems to make sense. I don't think having ANY foreign country in charge of any part of our security is not right.

Everything is Secret

2006-02-20T22:51:00.000-07:00

Well it looks like everything is secret these days, and it isn't very becoming of a democracy, but then again we have been moving away from democracy for some time now.

US removing documents from public access: report

"U.S. intelligence agencies have been secretly removing from public access at the National Archives thousands of historical documents that were available for years, The New York Times reported on Monday.

The restoration of classified status to more than 55,000 previously declassified pages began in 1999, when the CIA and five other agencies objected to what they saw as a hasty release of sensitive information after a 1995 declassification order signed by President Bill Clinton, the Times said on its Web site.

The secret program accelerated after the Bush administration took office and especially after the September 11 attacks, according to archives records, the paper said."

I know, it started in 1999, yeah well Clinton signed a 1995 declassification order, so at least he was trying to have a more open government.

But as soon as shrub came into office, that all turned around. He needs cover to do all the sh*t he is doing behind our backs.

"Some historians say the program is removing material that can do no conceivable harm to national security and note that some of the documents have been published by the government, the Times said.

Critics say it is part of a marked trend toward greater secrecy under the Bush administration, which has increased the pace of classifying documents, slowed declassification and discouraged the release of some material under the Freedom of Information Act, the paper said."

Oh well, democracy becomes the smaller and smaller shoreline that is disappearing in the distance behind us, but its ok no one will notice.

So Many Things

2006-02-15T21:49:00.000-07:00

There are so many things going on today. I don't have time to get to all of them, but I will try to hit a few.

First, Cheney conviently says he has the authority to declassify information, by the authority granted in an executive order.

Cheney Says He Has Power to Declassify Info

"Vice President Dick Cheney disclosed Wednesday that he has the power to declassify sensitive government information, authority that could set up a criminal defense for his former chief of staff, I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby."

You know shrub is a puppet president, Cheney is the real president. And this whole hunting accident story, and how he dealt with it, and then this disclosure of his authority to declassify intelligence just seems like something a president would have the authority to do. Even then its questionable since this basically means that no matter what laws we have the president can basically issue an executive order and allow anyone to break any law. It stinks to high heaven.

Then there is this:

Abu Ghraib reopens old wounds for US

"Abu Ghraib has returned to haunt the US military -- a scandal for which no senior US military officer or official has ever been sanctioned.

The old wounds have been reopened by the release by an Australian broadcaster, SBS, of new images and a video showing abuse of prisoners at the notorious Iraqi jail."

The release of more pictures of the abuse at Abu Ghraib highlights the fact that no higher ups in the military and this administration have yet to be held accountable for this travesty. This was not a isolated event that was ordered at the lowest levels. Maybe if we had a Democrat controlled House we could fully and correctly investigate this.

Then there was this:

Chertoff Admits Katrina Response Fumbled

"Acknowledging delayed aid and fumbled coordination, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Wednesday the federal response to Hurricane Katrina fell far short of providing immediate help to the Gulf Coast that could have saved lives.

Chertoff's Senate testimony came the same day a House panel released a scathing report concluding that deaths, damage and suffering could have been decreased if the White House and federal, state and local officials had responded more urgently to Katrina.

...
The House report — called 'A Failure of Initiative' — found ample fault with state and local officials, including delays in ordering early evacuations in New Orleans. But it also criticized President Bush for failing to get more deeply involved as the crisis unfolded.
...
In a sampling of 63 communications to the White House that the report documents, at least eight were dated before Katrina's Aug. 29 landfall. The documents show that presidential advisers were warned about potential disaster as early as Aug. 27.

'Earlier presidential involvement might have resulted in a more effective response,' the inquiry concluded. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the report Tuesday.
...
'Our logistics capability in Katrina was woefully inadequate,' he [Chertoff] said. 'I was astonished to see we didn't have the capability most 21st-century corporations have to track the flow of goods and services.'"

Sad, infuriating, and more. This needs to not be forgotten and lost in the midst of all the other matters that are floating through the public consciousness now. This was a grand failure at ALL levels.

Happy Valentine's Day

2006-02-14T21:25:00.000-07:00

Quail Hunt

2006-02-13T22:49:00.000-07:00

Yeah so I'm sure you all have heard by now that our famed VP has shot a man in the face by accident. Anyways while I initially thought it was humorous since the man the dark lord shot was not killed, I am no longer finding it so funny.

Cheney shoots at quail, hits hunting companion

"Vice President Dick Cheney accidentally shot a 78-year-old hunting companion during a weekend quail hunting trip after the man went to retrieve a bird and Cheney failed to spot him."

Seems there might have been some sort of cover up to try to pin the shooting on someone else in the hunting party, so as to avoid the embarrassment of reporting that the VP had shot the man.

"The accident was not reported publicly by the vice president's office for nearly 24 hours, and then only after it was reported by the Corpus Christi Caller-Times on its website Sunday.

McBride said the vice president's office did not tell reporters about the accident Saturday because they were deferring to Armstrong to handle the announcement of what happened on her property.

Armstrong said everyone at the ranch was so 'focused' on Whittington's health Saturday that it wasn't until Sunday she called the Caller-Times to report the accident. Her ranch is about 60 miles southwest of Corpus Christi."

Something smells fishy. It doesn't surprise me, this administration thinks it is above the law. Oh well. I bet Cheney didn't take a drug and alcohol test, which is customary in a accidental shooting case. Eh no big, he's the VP, he can get away with murder.

Cheney In Hot Water?

2006-02-09T22:13:00.000-07:00

Well take this for what you will, we'll see how this story pans out.

Libby: White House 'Superiors' OK'd Leaks

"A former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney told a federal grand jury that his superiors authorized him to give secret information to reporters as part of the Bush administration's defense of intelligence used to justify invading Iraq, according to court papers.

Special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald said in documents filed last month that he plans to introduce evidence that I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, Cheney's former chief of staff, disclosed to reporters the contents of a classified National Intelligence Estimate in the summer of 2003."

That is interesting, but then there was this from one of Libby's lawyers.

"William Jeffress, Libby's lawyer, said, 'There is no truth at all' to suggestions that Libby would try to shift blame to his superiors as a defense against the charges."

I think Fitzgerald may actually have some information on all of this and we may just find out soon. Seriously I hope these bastards get held accountable. I have no doubt, unfortunately, that this administration knew, EXACTLY what they were doing, and would do anything to get back at their critics. Even jeopardize national security.

Congratulations You F***!

2006-02-08T22:16:00.000-07:00

Way to go! You should be so proud of yourself!

Bush defends spending cuts amid lawmakers' qualms

"President George W. Bush on Wednesday defended domestic spending-cut proposals that have been greeted warily in the U.S. Congress, saying the Iraq war and Hurricane Katrina had forced him to make tough decisions.

He also pushed anew for extension of his first-term tax cuts and said if they were allowed to expire, growth and government revenues would suffer."

Our future is written on today's misguided decisions. I hate to think about where this leaves us.

Above the Law

2006-02-07T23:26:00.000-07:00

Cheney continued this administration's indignation and disdain for our laws today.

Cheney resists changing spy program

"Vice President Dick Cheney on Tuesday resisted bipartisan appeals for changes in a hotly disputed warrantless eavesdropping program, saying he believed 'we have all the legal authority we need.'
...
In an interview on PBS' 'Newshour,' Cheney was asked whether President Bush was willing to work with Congress to settle some of the legal questions about the spy program.

'We believe ... that we have all the legal authority we need,' Cheney said."

Yeah F**K Congress!

ABOVE THE LAW

NSA Wiretapping

2006-02-06T22:38:00.000-07:00

Today there was a hearing with Attorney General Gonzalez, probing the secret wiretapping of citizens of this country.

Senators Question Gonzales on NSA Wiretaps

"Senators raised doubts about the legal rationale for the Bush administration's eavesdropping program Monday, forcing Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to provide a lengthy defense of the operations he called a vital 'early warning system' for terrorists."

Don't let them get away with this. Don't let this issue die. What we are seeing is not just a desire by the people in power to protect us from attacks, we are seeing the people in power desiring more power using the threat of more attacks as a springboard to that increased power.

We must not let the desire to protect ourselves from attack to cloud our judgment on things that are obviously a direct violation of law, and a violation of the 4th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.

We MUST stop them!

Yes I care about protecting us from further attacks, of course I do, so don't you republican bastards try to claim otherwise. I am not living in a "pre 9/11" world, that is bullsh*t! We will not wage a "war on terrorism" by sacrificing our sacred rights and liberties. We WILL NOT!!!!!!

Picture of the Day

2006-02-06T22:24:00.000-07:00

World's Largest Mouse Hole

Another Day, Another Boehner

2006-02-02T22:32:00.000-07:00

Oh sorry is that title too upsetting? I think its stupid. I thought about changing it, but eh whatever. Anyways so the news today is John Boehner was elected as the new majority leader of the House of Representatives.

Reformer scores upset win in US Republican vote

"Republican lawmakers elected a reformer, John Boehner, to be their leader in the House of Representatives as the majority party seeks to shake off corruption scandals."

Good luck, I wish you well "reformer", I think your days as Majority Leader are numbered.

Oh and then there was THIS!

Bush to Request $120B More for War Funding

"The Bush administration said Thursday it will ask Congress for $120 billion more for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and $18 billion more for hurricane relief this year.

The White House acknowledges the upcoming requests would cause total spending on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001, to soar well past the $400 billion mark..."

Holy SH*T! This is insane! We have millions of people without health insurance in this country, failing schools, the highest deficit in U.S. history, but yeah let's spend $400 BILLION mostly on a war in Iraq. Is it worth it? Will we accomplish the goals that we want to? I don't know, but the cost to us when this is all over is going to be enormous. We will be paying for it for decades to come.

Finally good old shrub arrived here in Albuquerque today. He is going to be at Intel tomorrow morning which is pretty close to where I work, and I think he is going to royally f*** up traffic during tomorrow morning's rush hour.

State of the Union Fallout

2006-02-01T21:35:00.000-07:00

Ok this will be brief. Cindy Sheehan was arrested before the State of the Union speech in the House of Representatives and then released and charges dropped. Interesting.

Police Apologize, Drop Charge Vs. Sheehan

Now I want to highlight this response to the State of the Union speech. Howard Dean, had this to say.

I'm sorry this is long, and I am going to post much of it, but really go read the whole thing, I think it is a well articulated outline of a progressive agenda that will lead us ahead.

"Americans have a lot of questions that went unanswered tonight. When George Bush delivered his State of the Union address, he had a big megaphone and the world's attention. He had the opportunity to regain some degree of credibility with the American people -- more than half of whom disapprove of his performance as president. But he failed to answer the real questions ordinary Americans have about the state of our union:

- When will we have a new strategy in Iraq that protects American lives? Violence is increasing, not decreasing there and the mismanagement of this war has cost the lives of Americans and billions of dollars in fraud. And when will we secure our ports and chemical and nuclear plants, which remain vulnerable?

- When will the Republican Party put its responsibility to the people before its greed and thirst for power? The Republican culture of corruption in the executive and legislative branches has violated the law and cost taxpayers billions.

- When will President Bush and the Republican Congress wake up to the economic crisis tens of millions of Americans face? Good jobs are leaving this country, and many of the jobs that remain exploit working families by denying them adequate benefits. Millionaires and corporations receive tax breaks while Americans can't afford to save, and the gap between rich and poor continues to widen to levels unseen since the 19th century.

- When will we finally do something for the 46 million Americans who lack health insurance? Many have had their lives ruined financially when the worst happened, and many more no longer seek the care they need because they cannot afford it.

- When will we make serious strides towards energy independence? We get a greater percentage of our oil from cartels and dictatorships now than we did in 2000."

Ok, so everyone keeps saying "stop bitching about shrub and tell us what YOU will do", so OK lets talk about that.

"Part of that means telling people clearly and unambiguously what we stand for -- and I'll tell you right now:

- Real security -- we will protect Americans at home by getting serious about homeland security, and address the real threats abroad by capturing or killing Osama bin Laden and focusing on actual (not imagined) nuclear proliferation...

- Honest leadership and open government -- we will end the criminal Republican culture of corruption and restore a sense of responsibility to elected office, and we will pass fundamental reforms that make government more honest, open, and accountable to the American people than ever before.
...
A health care system that works for everyone -- we will join every other industrialized country by making sure everyone has access to affordable health care...

- Energy independence -- we will reduce our reliance on foreign oil by investing in cleaner and more efficient technology. We will treat energy independence as what it is -- not only a conservation issue, but an economic and national security issue."

Lets go troops! Take our country back!

The State of the Union is Poor

2006-01-31T22:56:00.000-07:00

Well today Samuel Alito was sworn in as the 110th Justice of the Supreme Court. A sad sad day for our country indeed. Unfortunately this man will probably be on the Supreme Court for 30 or more years. I fear for our country. This court has taken a hard right and it is very disturbing. This man is a rubber stamp for this administration and their increasing desire for more executive power. We shall see how this pans out, but I am not very optimistic.

In other news there was this thing, called the State of the Union speech. I could run down a litany list of things that were uttered, but one thing really made me angry.

So here's the transcript of the speech.

President Bush's State of the Union Address

I want to hone in on this one point. shrub says this:

"Yet the tax relief is set to expire in the next few years.

If we do nothing, American families will face a massive tax increase they do not expect and will not welcome.

Because America needs more than a temporary expansion, we need more than temporary tax relief.

I urge the Congress to act responsibly and make the tax cuts permanent."

How the f*ck can you sit there and talk about making these tax cuts permanent when are budget deficits are out of this world, higher than they have ever been? And when you are sinking so low to actually cut funding for college loan assistance for the very people who need the help the most? You have no shame! You are pushing these tax cuts which overwhelmingly benefit the more wealthy, at the expense of our kids being able to get a college education, at the cost of the highest national debt in our history. Unbelievable. Keep relying on the fact that most of us won't even notice. But you know what, you are going to get burned.

Good luck Republicans, your time in power is coming to an end.

Holy Hamas!

2006-01-27T23:47:00.000-07:00

Sh*t is going to go down now! In case you haven't heard, Hamas won a large majority of the seats in the Palestinian parliament. It was completely unexpected, and the rest of the world does not know what to do.

Bush: Hamas may cost Palestinians aid

"US President George W. Bush warned of cuts in US aid to the Palestinians if the Islamic militant group Hamas does not dissolve its armed wing and renounce threats against Israel."

Hamas's main platform is calling for the destruction of the state of Israel. So this is bad bad bad for the peace process.

I worry now about the upcoming Israeli elections. After Sharon's stroke I thought that his acting Prime Minister would be ok and would win in the elections and continue the peace process. But now I suspect Israel will elect Netanyahu again and the Likud party will move Israel away from the peace process, whatever is left of it. Such a shame.

Ethics Bandwagon

2006-01-25T22:38:00.000-07:00

Senators Say Ethics Beyond Lobbying Reform

"Members of Congress must look at their own behavior as well as lobbyists' if they are to regain the trust of the American public, senators said Wednesday."

Ok now everybody get on the bus! Now that it is all the rage to say that the Congress has ethics problems, every Senator and Congressional Representative is coming out to say that we need changes. Right right, so where the hell were all of you for the last 10 years?

"But speakers at the hearing also said members of Congress must look at how they do business and get elected, larger issues that could complicate quick passage of the first lobbying reform bill in a decade.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., co-sponsor of one of the major lobbying bills, said Congress must tackle the problem of earmarks, special interest projects that get inserted in larger pieces of legislation, often with the help of lobbyists. 'We're not going to fix this system until we fix the earmarks,' he said. 'It's disgraceful, this process.'"

Yeah disgraceful. It has been disgraceful for many MANY years! How can I take you seriously Senator McCain when you have sat by and watched this happen for so many years, with so many bills? Come on!

"Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., also noted, in a broader sense, that Congress must look at how lawmakers finance their political campaigns. 'Unless and until we address this in an honest fashion, we are carping on trifles here.'

In the House on Wednesday, Democrats David Obey of Wisconsin and Barney Frank of Massachusetts said they would introduce legislation to eliminate all private money for House elections, turning instead to public financing. 'The problem with politics is more fundamental than meals or trips with lobbyists,' Obey said in a statement."

Now we are talking! I think we should really look into making our system of elections a publicly financed process, and get all this special interest money out of the game. Of course there will be loopholes, and we have to work to fix them. It's worth a shot.

Supremely Conservative Court

2006-01-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

Well it looks like the Supreme Court is unfortunately going to become much more conservative.

Majority of Senators Vow to Vote for Alito

"Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito won commitments from a majority of senators Tuesday, assuring his eventual confirmation and making a rightward tilt of the court likely."

It pretty sad. The gist I have gotten from this confirmation hearing was that this man very likely will be one of the more conservative justices on the court, and will likely tip the tie breakers to the conservative side, and may just overturn Roe v. Wade, and other rulings that a majority of our country has come to take for granted.

Maybe then, maybe then this country will wake up and realize what this administration, and this congress has done to our country. Unfortunately by then it will be too late, since these are lifetime appointments.

I hope we can come out of this dark time and have another renaissance.

To Hell

2006-01-18T22:42:00.000-07:00

Ok so I was just looking at the news today. And I happened to see this story. Most people have forgotten about this, but I wanted to point it out.

Brown Accepts More Blame on Katrina

"Former FEMA Director Michael Brown on Wednesday accepted a greater share of the blame for the government's failures after Hurricane Katrina, saying he fell short in conveying the magnitude of the disaster and calling for help."

About f*cking time! I think you are a terrible person. You had no business being the head of FEMA. Good riddance!

"'I should have asked for the military sooner. I should have demanded the military sooner,' Brown told a gathering of meteorologists at a ski resort in the Sierra Nevada.

'It was beyond the capacity of the state and local governments, and it was beyond the capacity of FEMA,' said Brown, former head of the
Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Brown's remarks Wednesday stood in contrast to his testimony at a congressional hearing in September, when he blamed most of the government's failures on Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin - both Democrats."

Eh lie to congress, no big deal. Oh well everyone has forgotten anyways. I guess everything is ok down there in New Orleans.

Preach

2006-01-17T22:01:00.000-07:00

I know I covered Al Gore's speech yesterday, but I just found this little nugget and I wanted to quote it here as well.

Gore was talking about how fear is so pervasive in today's politics, or a better description, so pervasive in America today, and how it is making us all react in ways that are not good for the survival of this country.

"Fear drives out reason. Fear suppresses the politics of discourse and opens the door to the politics of destruction. Justice Brandeis once wrote: 'Men feared witches and burnt women.'

The founders of our country faced dire threats. If they failed in their endeavors, they would have been hung as traitors. The very existence of our country was at risk.

Yet, in the teeth of those dangers, they insisted on establishing the Bill of Rights.

Is our Congress today in more danger than were their predecessors when the British army was marching on the Capitol? Is the world more dangerous than when we faced an ideological enemy with tens of thousands of missiles poised to be launched against us and annihilate our country at a moment's notice? Is America in more danger now than when we faced worldwide fascism on the march-when our fathers fought and won two World Wars?

It is simply an insult to those who came before us and sacrificed so much on our behalf to imply that we have more to be fearful of than they. Yet they faithfully protected our freedoms and now it is up to us to do the same."

Really I want to say more, but you know what that last paragraph says EXACTLY what I am thinking about all of this.

Threat to the Structure of Our Government

2006-01-16T21:47:00.000-07:00

Things are getting scary these days. I am seriously worried about where this country is going. One positive is that I think more and more Americans are catching on to what is happening.

Now if we could just get the mainstream press to cover certain things with more urgency then we will be better off. Today former Vice President Al Gore gave a speech that should be given attention.

Gore calls for special counsel on eavesdropping

"Former Vice President Al Gore called on Monday for an independent counsel to investigate whether President George W. Bush broke the law in authorizing domestic eavesdropping without court approval."

I agree we need a completely independent investigation, this is just too important to risk even an appearance of partisanship.

"'A special counsel should be immediately appointed by the attorney general to remedy the obvious conflict of interest that prevents him from investigating what many believe are serious violations of law by the president,' Gore said in a speech to the American Constitution Society and the Liberty Coalition.

Gore, the Democrat defeated by Bush in the 2000 presidential election, said the eavesdropping operation threatened the foundation of U.S. democracy, and he recalled the FBI's secret surveillance of Martin Luther King, on the U.S. holiday commemorating the civil rights leader."

Tell them reverend! Seriously this disturbing. And anyone who looks at this and shrugs it off and makes excuses for this president's actions needs to look at themselves and think about where their priorities really lie. In politics, in party loyalty, or in the survival of the finest country in the world.

The time is now folks, we all must fight for the good of this country. Fight for our liberties, for our rights, for our privacy. We can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines. Wake Up!

"'We still have much to learn about the NSA's domestic surveillance. What we do know about this pervasive wiretapping virtually compels the conclusion that the president of the United States has been breaking the law repeatedly and insistently,' Gore said.

'A president who breaks the law is a threat to the very structure of our government,' he said."

Indeed!

Irony

2006-01-12T23:34:00.000-07:00

Frist Weighs Ban on Lobbyist Gifts, Travel

"Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is considering proposals to ban gifts and privately funded travel as part of an effort to curtail the influence of lobbyists on lawmakers, officials said Thursday."

Yeah that will instill confidence among all of us in your corrupt leadership.

Yeah, What Can You Say?

2006-01-11T21:51:00.000-07:00

Army to Send Body Armor Plates to Iraq

"The Army plans to send thousands of ceramic body armor plates to Iraq this year to better protect soldiers while the Marine Corps already is delivering such gear, military officers said Wednesday.

In a private appearance before members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the officers defended the body armor available to U.S. troops. A Pentagon study done last summer but only disclosed recently found that improved armor may have prevented or minimized torso wounds that proved fatal to Marines in Iraq.
...
After the briefing, Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Sorenson said the Army decided to send soldiers side protective plates after troops driving military vehicles made the suggestion over the past year."

About f*cking time!

Pentagon briefs lawmakers on adequacy of body armor

"Democrats in Congress and public interest groups have pressed the George W. Bush administration for improved equipment for US troops, after the New York Times last week reported that an internal Pentagon study concluded that as many as 80 percent of the marines killed in Iraq from upper body wounds could have survived had they had extra body armor."

Son of a bitch! I want to KILL all the f*cking bureaucrats who have kept our troops from getting the armor they need. If even half of the percentage of troops killed could have been saved by extra body armor, then I want f*cking revenge! Where is the goddamn outrage?! Oh right this is just me being a liberal reactionary. Ok nevermind the fact that we could have saved the precious lives of our soldiers, over in Iraq.

These are not just names dammit! These could be your neighbor, your college friend, your co-worker's son or daughter. When will it sink in that our country, our government did NOT do all they could do have done to save the lives of our soldiers.

DAMMIT! Why do I feel like I am screaming into a dead microphone, and the auditorium is empty?

Disgusting

2006-01-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

God I just am disgusted by these Republican lawmakers. I came across this story today.

Snow: will shrink deficit with spending cuts

"The White House aims to shrink the U.S. budget deficit through spending restraint and strong government revenues but will oppose letting tax breaks expire, U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow said on Tuesday."

HOW HOW HOW can these sons a bitches be so f*cking callous? We are going to cut social programs and things like that, but HEY WAIT we must renew these tax cuts for the rich!

You GODDAMN BASTARDS!!!! You don't give a sh*t about anyone besides your rich and powerful contributors. OH it makes me sooo mad that you are willing to mortgage our future to further line the pockets of the millionaires, the billionaires. Its just plain wrong.

Just continue to drive up the deficit, it doesn't matter. Well guess what it DOES! Just today I read that China will be selling off their dollar reserves. Even though they now deny the reports, we'll see. The dollar is already falling against international currencies, we can little afford for a country as large as China or others to start pulling their dollar reserves. We need to get our finances in order.

I tell you this idiot is going to run our fine country into the ground!

Oh and on that subject, look at this report from today.

Iraq war could cost up to two trillion dollars: study

"The Iraq war will likely cost the United States between one and two trillion dollars, despite earlier assurances by the White House that these expenses would be manageable, according to a new study co-authored by a Nobel Prize-winning economist."

Wow, I just don't know what to say. My god. We need change folks, we need it quickly. Why is everyone putting their heads in the sand? We need to wake up and see what is going on around us.

Another Week

2006-01-09T21:51:00.000-07:00

Well, I admit, I only posted once last week. It was a busy week. I had to get ready for my friends Matt and Laurie coming. But I promise this week I will be better.

Today the confirmation hearings for Samuel Alito began. And as expected Alito says he will not bring an agenda to the court. Yeah we will see about that. I mean what is he going to say? Yeah I am going to be a political ideologue who will rule in conjunction with this administration? Come on. But ah so it looks as if he will be confirmed. So sad. It really is too bad that the idiot won a second term, oh well. Yes I am resigned.

Bush's Supreme Court nominee insists he will be impartial

"Samuel Alito, George W. Bush's conservative nominee to be a Supreme Court justice, insisted in opening statements that he would be a flexible and impartial jurist if approved for the job.

'A judge can't have any agenda,' said Alito, speaking on the first day of what is likely to be a contentious week of Senate confirmation hearings."

In other news, Tom Delay was denied was denied a request to dismiss the money laundering charges against him.Texas court denies DeLay bid to quash criminal case

"Texas' highest criminal court on Monday denied a request by Republican U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay to toss out criminal money laundering charges against him or grant him a quick trial."

Looks like he will actually have to face justice for once.

A culture of corruption. Good luck in the midterm elections coming up this year. I predict some big losses for the old GOP.

Happy 2006!

2006-01-03T22:46:00.000-07:00

Where have I been? I didn't wish all my readers a Merry Christmas, or a Happy Hanukkah, or a Happy New Year. Or did I? Well anyways, welcome to the year 2006 in Disconnected Rumblings.

I am really tired tonight so I will keep this brief. Good news in the judicial system today.

Abramoff Pleads Guilty, Will Cooperate

"Jack Abramoff, the lobbyist who spawned a congressional corruption scandal, pleaded guilty Tuesday to three felonies and pledged to cooperate in a criminal probe edging closer to former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay."

GOOD! Cover your asses republicans, because ALOT of you are going down! Good luck f*ckers! Its about time the meaty hand of justice served you your just desserts. You all have suckled at the teat of American power and influence and we have had to deal with the gas and bloating. Sorry disgusting metaphor, but really, we have to fix this crap, its getting bad, and unless we WAKE the HELL UP this country is going to go down in flames!

WAKE UP!

Happy Holidays

2005-12-23T23:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year, but boy it sure is easier to say Happy Holidays, but damn I don't want to upset Bill O'Reily. Anyways, I am away on vacation until January, so I guess you will all have to survive without my wisdom until then.

Patriot Act Extended

2005-12-21T23:25:00.000-07:00

But will shrub sign it? He threatened to not sign a three month extension, so I wonder if he will support this six month extension.

"The Senate on Wednesday passed a six-month extension of the terror-fighting USA Patriot Act..."

The six month extension,

"...will allow more time to finally agree on a bill that protects our rights and freedoms while preserving important tools for fighting terrorism," added Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., who was the only senator to vote against the original Patriot Act in 2001.

Despite insisting earlier that a short-term extension of the Patriot Act would not be acceptable, Bush seemed to indicate in a late-night statement that he would sign it."

Well I guess that answers that question. Another win for American citizens, and for freedom and liberty.

Now what is happening with this NSA spying thing?... More on that tomorrow.

Buckle Your Seat Belts!

2005-12-19T23:19:00.000-07:00

So much to say and so little time. Tonight we decorated the tree, so I didn't really have much time to write. But let me just say this. The developments of the last few days have been deeply concerned, and I think every American right or left, should take a moment and think about where we are as a country, and where we want to go.

The revelation that shrub has authorized over and OVER the spying on US citizens, is very troublesome. Not because I don't want to have the upper hand on terrorists. Not because I don't want to prevent another attack on us here at home, but because the justification for this spying program just doesn't pass muster.

First of all, shrub is going ape sh*t claiming that the secret court FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) is not good enough to do what he wants as fast as he wants. Well I call bullsh*t! The FISA allows the government to obtain permission to spy on suspected terrorists up to 72 hours AFTER they have begun spying on a suspect. There is no excuse to say that this FISA Act does not allow the government to be nimble enough to get the leg up on these terrorists. Its just empty rhetoric. The truth is this administration is trying to see how much they can get away with, and the public and the congress will just roll over for.

And guess what, I suspect he may just get away with this. He ABSOLUTELY does not need to circumvent the FISA oversight that was created for just this purpose, to have a secret court to air classified info to justify a wiretap, or surveillance on a suspected terrorist or terrorists. See this part is key. Without some sort of court oversight these people answer to NO ONE, and that is not a democracy my friends, no matter how these bastards try to spin it, this is a power grab plain and simple.

Are we going to allow them to do this? Are we going to roll over? If there ever was a time for the media to wake up. If there ever was a time for the citizens of this fine country to wake up. That time is NOW!!!!!!!

WAKE UP!!!!!! They are revoking our rights. They are consolidating the power of the executive branch to an alarming point. If we continue down this path then we are no longer a representative democracy, we are more like a dictatorship. Yes it is true, it may be cliche to say especially in the next few days, but it is true.

Wake up America, we need you now, this could very well lead to a constitutional crisis.

Bush Vigorously Defends Domestic Spying

"Accused of acting above the law, President Bush forcefully defended a domestic spying program on Monday as an effective tool in disrupting terrorists and insisted it was not an abuse of Americans' civil liberties.

Bush said it was 'a shameful act' for someone to have leaked details to the media. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said it was 'probably the most classified program that exists in the United States government' involving electronic intercepts of telephone calls and e-mails in the U.S. of people with known ties to al-Qaida and other terrorist groups.

At a news conference, Bush bristled at the suggestion he was assuming unlimited powers.

'To say `unchecked power' basically is ascribing some kind of dictatorial position to the president, which I strongly reject,' he said angrily in a finger-pointing answer. 'I am doing what you expect me to do, and at the same time, safeguarding the civil liberties of the country.'

Despite Bush's defense, there was a growing storm of criticism from Congress and calls for investigations, from Democrats and Republicans alike."

I call B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T, BULLSH*T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am doing what you expect me to do and at the same time safeguarding the civil liberties of the country? Are you f***ing kidding me?! You are systematically dismantling our civil liberties and you KNOW it! We want answers, we want a law saying you can't do this! Help us!

Score One For Our Liberties

2005-12-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

Patriot Act blocked in Senate - Yahoo! News

"A group of U.S. senators, demanding increased protection of civil liberties, defied President George W. Bush on Friday by blocking renewal of the USA Patriot Act, a centerpiece of his war on terrorism.
...
Opponents have suggested that expiring provisions be temporarily extended as now written until congressional negotiators can resolve differences. But Republicans leaders and the White House have vowed to reject any short-term extension."

Why did the Whitehouse refuse to extend the Patriot Act for 3 months to give the congress time to make changes? I wonder? They claim Dems are playing politics with the Patriot Act, I submit that THEY are!

Also:
Shocked Lawmakers Demand Spy Program Probe

"Dismayed lawmakers demanded on Friday that Congress look into whether the highly secretive National Security Agency was granted new powers to eavesdrop without warrants on people inside the United States."

Wow.

Mish Mash

2005-12-15T22:42:00.000-07:00

Ok a bunch of things to mention tonight.

One:

White House, McCain in deal on torture measure

"Bowing to bipartisan pressure after months of resistance, President George W. Bush agreed on Thursday to back legislation proposed by Sen. John McCain to ban inhumane treatment of prisoners in U.S. custody."

The fact that this administration fought the banning of torture tooth and nail makes me feel sick inside, and dirty. But alas lets look positively on the developments. The administration has finally agreed to support this crucial bill which is a question of morality, morality of this country. But I can't help but believe that this move was not a move having anything to do with shrub or seeing his moral imperative to not become what we are fighting, but of more a political move. He desperately needed some positive news and this and the next item demonstrates this fact. One final thought on this development.

"Rep. Jane Harman (news, bio, voting record) of California, top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, issued a statement saying: 'Today's agreement by the White House and congressional leaders means that interrogators will be given clear, unambiguous rules to follow. ... The fog of law is lifting. America's black eye is finally healing.'"

I truly hope so. Time will tell.

Two:

US to spend $3 bln on New Orleans levees

"The White House said on Thursday it had agreed to spend about $3.1 billion to strengthen the New Orleans levee system, a critical move in reviving the city devastated by Hurricane Katrina in August."

Excellent, my next question is, will this prevent another tragedy like what happened in August from happening again? And how will the citizens of New Orleans respond? Will they rebuild smarter? Will the local government come up with better plans for emergency situations? Will the federal government reform enough to adequately support the aftermath of the next catastrophe? Let's hope so.

Three:

Report: Bush Permitted NSA to Spy in U.S.

"President Bush authorized the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on Americans and others inside the United States - without getting search warrants - following the Sept. 11 attacks, The New York Times reports.

The presidential order, which Bush signed in 2002, has allowed the agency to monitor the international phone calls and international e-mails of hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of people inside the United States, according to a story posted Thursday on the Times' Web site."

Well this is just great, really. Will someone please stand up and tell these power hungry bastards that we are a free country and we will not stand for having our liberties, our right to privacy chipped away at? Seriously these people will keep doing this. Its wrong, it fundamentally opposed to everything this country was founded on, and if we just keep ignoring it and let them do as they will one day we will turn around and we will have no freedom left. This is the aim, I believe, of these people. Watch out America!

And finally four:

Feingold Now Has Numbers on His Side

"In Congress, where numbers are everything, the math on the Patriot Act suddenly seems to be moving in favor of Sen. Russell Feingold.

He was a minority of one four years ago, when the Wisconsin Democrat cast the lone Senate vote against the USA Patriot Act in the traumatic weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks. The law, he said then, gave government too much power to investigate its citizens. Ninety-nine senators disagreed.

Now add more than two dozen senators to Feingold's side, including the leaders of his party and some of the chamber's most conservative Republicans, and the balance of power shifts."

Also now Senator Chuck Hagel, a senior republican senator has joined the ranks of people speaking up for our rights. Thank you Chuck Hagel for having the moral imperative to stand up against this wrong headedness of the administration. The Patriot Act, CAN be a good thing to protect us, but not before some MAJOR changes are made to it first. The answer is not to blindly approve it like we did in those dark days immediately after September 11th. This time we would be voting to make these laws permanent, and that is not something to rush into.

Here Have a Gold Star F*ckup!

2005-12-14T22:36:00.000-07:00

So he finally starts to take some responsibility, but notice he doesn't use the M word. No no he couldn't do that.

Bush takes blame for Iraq war on bad intelligence

"President George W. Bush took the blame on Wednesday for going to war in Iraq over faulty intelligence but said he was right to topple Saddam Hussein and urged Americans to be patient as Iraqis vote.

'It is true that much of the intelligence turned out to be wrong. As president I am responsible for the decision to go into Iraq, and I am also responsible for fixing what went wrong by reforming our intelligence capabilities and we're doing just that,' he said."

Now how about figuring out a way to fix this? I am very glad that the people of Iraq are out there voting as I write this. But lets take this opportunity to draw down our forces, give the insurgents less of a target, protect our troops. I believe we have achieved what we were there to achieve. We brought down that murderer Saddam, we dismantled the political party that exploited the people of Iraq. Now we should become not a presence of occupation, but a helping presence who is out of the spotlight and working behind the scenes to lend a helping hand when our hand is asked for.

But ok georgie, here is your gold star you god damn royal f*ckup! Now go home and stop destroying our country, our reputation, and the good will of the world towards the United States.

He is Sick

2005-12-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

Well once again I missed posting on a Monday. What can I say, we made basil pesto chicken pizza last night and had some great Beringer cabernet, and well you know. So anyways I am back tonight, for a short post.

Our president is an ASS.

"Q Since the inception of the Iraqi war, I'd like to know the approximate total of Iraqis who have been killed. And by Iraqis I include civilians, military, police, insurgents, translators.

THE PRESIDENT: How many Iraqi citizens have died in this war? I would say 30,000, more or less, have died as a result of the initial incursion and the ongoing violence against Iraqis. We've lost about 2,140 of our own troops in Iraq.

Yes.

Q Mr. President, thank you --

THE PRESIDENT: I'll repeat the question. If I don't like it, I'll make it up. (Laughter and applause.)"

Oh this man disgusts me. How many are dead in this war of ours? Oh probably about 30,000, hahahahahaha yeah next question, and if I don't like it I'll just make up a question I like, yuk yuk. Man I am so funny.

He could give a sh*t less about the fact that at LEAST 30,000 Iraqi people are dead. That is obvious from the fact that he chose right then to make a stupid shrub joke. He was obviously concerned that he had messed up and actually told the truth for once and said that 30,000 people were dead. Man I just don't think he cares, and that is what makes me sick the most. This man has taken this country and thrown it under the bus, god how will we ever recover?

And all of you who continue to back this man, my god, what does he have to do to make you stop and say, you know what, he f*cked up? My god!

Oh and just when you thought it was over.

John Hannah Implicates Rove and Others! Fitzgerald Intends To Indict Rove Reports Raw Story

"Short of a last minute intervention by Rove's attorney, Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is expected to ask a grand jury investigating the outing of CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson to indict Deputy White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove for making false statements"

See ya!

John Lennon: 1940 - 1980

2005-12-08T18:13:00.000-07:00

It has been 25 years today since John Lennon, Beatle, peace activist, musical genius, was shot and killed outside of his New York City apartment.

Imagine

Imagine there's no heaven,
It's easy if you try,
No hell below us,
Above us only sky,
Imagine all the people
living for today...

Imagine there's no countries,
It isn't hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for,
No religion too,
Imagine all the people
living life in peace...

Imagine no possessions,
I wonder if you can,
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man,
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer,
but I'm not the only one,
I hope some day you'll join us,
And the world will live as one.

FEMA In the News Again

2005-12-07T22:02:00.000-07:00

Well this just disgusts me.

FEMA Official Warned About Unprepared Teams

"FEMA's top official was told more than a year before Hurricane Katrina that the agency's emergency response teams were unprepared for a major disaster and were operating under outdated plans, documents show."

Who is going to take responsibility for the fact that a once VERY together agency that, has been neutered? And this is the reason why many people died in August and September of 2005.

It makes me so mad, but you know what I have gone on and on about this a couple of months ago. So I will stop here.

Oh and one little note:

Fitzgerald Back Before CIA Leak Grand Jury

"Special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald was back before a federal grand jury on Wednesday in the CIA leak case, with deputy White House chief of staff Karl Rove still under investigation."

Burn baby, burn.

Chop Suey

2005-12-06T21:39:00.000-07:00

Well first off, sorry I didn't post yesterday, we made herbed goat cheese stuffed chicken last night, and that took most of my time. It was GOOD!

Tonight I don't much feel like commenting on the political world as it were. So I will just give you a Cliff's Notes version.

Dean said something, and shrub got all uppity.

Saddam says he won't attend court NO MO!

A German man filed suit against the CIA for wrongful abduction.

And Cheney continues to accuse anyone who questions lord vader himself and shrub on Iraq treasonous villains who must be eradicated. Sound familiar?

Now lets all say a big F*CK YOU! to the overlord for being an anti-America, war-mongering, satanic BASTARD.

World AIDS Day

2005-12-01T22:11:00.000-07:00

Today was World AIDS Day, and Kofi Annan had this to say.

Annan: 'We must do far, far more' against AIDS

"'We must do far, far more,' U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said. 'It is time to recognize that although our response so far has succeeded in some of the particulars, it has yet to match the epidemic in scale.'"

I agree, the evidence is in the details. While much has been done, its the little details that reveal the truth about what we are doing and what we are not doing to beat this disease.

"With just over 10 percent of the world's population, sub-Saharan Africa is home to more than 60 percent of all people infected with HIV. Africa saw about 3.2 million of the almost 5 million new infections recorded in 2005.

'These countries, and many others, are fighting for the lives of their citizens, and America is now their strongest partner in that fight,' he said. The 400,000 getting treatment, he said, was up from 50,000 two years ago.

However, critics including senior U.N. officials say Bush's emphasis on abstinence-only programs has hobbled efforts by playing down the role of condoms."

I hope we can get past this stupid, stupid policy. Yes lets tell people, some in places like tribal areas of Africa, that they should only have sex after marriage. Come on, face reality, and really make a difference. That difference is promoting condom use, saturating the local areas with condoms, so that they are easier to obtain than a soda. Also not letting big pharmaceutical companies charge ridiculous amounts of money for drugs to treat AIDS. It's sheer greed and a lack of a moral compass that drives these companies to have no compassion and refuse in most cases to give these drugs to people who desperately need them.

"The United Nations has long called on wealthy nations to donate 0.7 percent of gross domestic product for development aid every year."

Have countries stepped up and done this? No.

Actions speak louder than words. How will history view our response to this epidemic?

What a Speech

2005-11-30T23:20:00.000-07:00

Wow what a great speech shrub gave today. In what was billed as a major Iraq policy speech, the idiot savant said NOTHING new. NOTHING. More of the same rosy crap.

"Everything is going well."

"Sure there are some kinks, but boy oh boy are things going well."

"Not to worry efforts are going so well."

Isn't it criminal to continue to mislead the citizens of this country about ACTUAL progress in Iraq? Isn't it about time we admitted that yes Shiite Muslims are actively executing Sunni Muslims? That contractors are randomly killing innocent Iraqi civilians. Video (Warning: disturbing)

Yeah this just makes me sick, that this bastard can keep sitting on his thrown and saying the same thing over and over again, oblivious to the real world. Problem is he is taking this country with him into this delusion.

Goddammit wake up America! It is NOT OK. We can't keep sleeping!

WAKE UP!!!!!

I'm Out

2005-11-29T23:11:00.000-07:00

Wow, it finally happened. I am completely out of ideas to write about. Sorry my loyal readers. This has never happened before I swear. It's not you, it's me.

But wait, there is this hilarious item.

Bush says congressman taking bribes 'outrageous'

"'Any member of Congress, Republican or Democrat, must take their office seriously and the ethics seriously,' Bush said to reporters during a trip to Texas."

Oh wow, now that is some funny sh*t! shrub talking about ethics?! This man has about as much ethics as a mob boss. Come on! This administration is one of the most corrupt presidential administrations in U.S. history. Why are you making it so easy?

Anyways, I want a widescreen tv. Can I have one please?

Another One Bites the Dust

2005-11-28T22:57:00.000-07:00

Republican US Congressman pleads guilty to corruption charges

"A Republican US congressman resigned after pleading guilty to taking 2.4 million dollars in bribes in return from a military contractor to influence the award of defense deals."

Oh isn't that nice. No no, this Republican party is not corrupt, come on.

"He admitted taking money from a military contractor in return for supporting the firm's drive to secure US Defense Department contracts. He also admitted charges of mail fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion for underreporting his income in 2004.

Cunningham, an eight-term congressman, decorated Vietnam War fighter pilot and a member of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, announced he was resigning immediately from the House of Representatives.

'I'm resigning from the House of Representatives because I've compromised the trust of my constituents,' Cunningham told reporters outside court. 'The truth is I broke the law, concealed my conduct and disgraced my office."

Open seat. I think this should be an easy pick up for the Dems. Keep them indictments coming.

Our Justice System Is Crumbling

2005-11-28T14:19:00.000-07:00

Literally too.

Marble chunk falls from Supreme Court facade

Happy Thanksgiving

2005-11-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

Thanksgiving Eve

2005-11-23T21:28:00.000-07:00

Well its that time of year again. Time to eat too much turkey, drink too much wine, eat too many pieces of pie.

Its a time to give thanks for all that we have. Especially to give thanks that we live in this wonderful country that affords us all of these freedoms. We truly are all trailblazers in this world. Not very long ago most countries in the world didn't allow people to freely worship a god of their choosing, including NOT worshiping any god at all. It wasn't very long ago that other countries didn't allow their people to freely express themselves, to marry who they wanted, to live how they wanted.

Oh wait we, the true trailblazers for the world, are now actively working to prevent our citizens from being able to marry. We are so full of ourselves that we have the audacity to tell two people who are in love with each other, that no sorry, we have altered the state constitution to ban gay marriage.

It is WRONG! And all of you people who don't see that are wrong! This is not some cute issue to take sides on because you think that gay people are trying to take over the country. This is a CIVIL RIGHTS issue! How many times do I have to say this?

Don't you people see? The people who want to ban gay marriage are saying that they are better then gay people. That gay people do not deserve the same rights that they have. This folks is discrimination plain and simple. This IS history repeating itself, as much as you all don't want to admit it.

This is nearly the same issues that this country faced during the end of the civil rights movement. After the slaves had been freed for decades, there were still hundreds, if not thousands of laws on the books across these fine states, that continued to discriminate against African Americans. And even when most laws were abolished they were still faced with racism. They were not given loans that white people were given. They were not hired for jobs they were qualified for, simply because of the color of their skin.

Well guess what. This is the civil rights struggle of the 21st century. This is in the news today.

Battle intensifies over gay marriage in Massachusetts

"A loose coalition of conservative and Christian groups seeking to ban same-sex marriage had to gather at least 65,825 signatures before state lawmakers could decide whether to put the question to a public referendum in 2008.

On Wednesday, as a deadline passed to submit the signatures to town and city clerks who must check their authenticity, jubilant officials at the Massachusetts Family Institute and other conservatives announced they had found solid support."

Solid support it just makes my heart feel all warm and fuzzy that these supposed religious and kind hearted people want to discriminate against their own.

"Texas this month became the 19th U.S. state to approve a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. But reflecting a mixed national mood, Maine voters this month rejected a conservative-backed proposal to repeal a gay-rights law."

F**K YOU TEXAS! Go back to Mexico! But this part gives me hope for our future.

"An ABC/Washington Post poll in January found that 41 percent of American adults thought gay marriage and civil unions should be legal and 55 percent did not.

But that poll also showed a conflicting view among people in the prime marrying ages of between 18 to 29 -- 55 percent of that group supported gay marriage and 42 percent did not."

So maybe, just maybe, when all of you hateful bastards die off we will finally live in a better society where each and every one of us will TRULY be equal.

Friday, Vegas Bound!

2005-11-18T14:17:00.000-07:00

Well the day is upon us! We will be on our way to Vegas in an hour or so.

I will post when we get back either on Tuesday night or Wednesday. Hopefully not too much will happen in the world of politics between now and then. Until then America have a good one.

Thursday, T Minus 1

2005-11-17T23:36:00.000-07:00

Ok we leave for Vegas tomorrow. I am mostly packed, but I wanted to write a quick post tonight before I hit my bed for the last night for 4 nights.

News came out today that the CIA leak investigation, is very much not over, as much as the White House wants it to be.

Fitzgerald Expected to Present Woodward Evidence To New Grand Jury

"The White House now must brace itself for the possibility that Mr. Fitzgerald's probe, far from winding down, may have just gotten a second wind. Prosecutors deposed Mr. Woodward in anticipation of presenting that evidence to a new grand jury, according to a person familiar with the situation."

Good, lets get the truth out here. I have much to say about Mr. Woodward, but I don't have enough time tonight.

Anyways, I will post before I leave tomorrow. Have a good night.

Wednesday, T Minus 2

2005-11-16T22:39:00.000-07:00

Well lots of things have happened this week, but I didn't get a chance to mention one thing last week. Last week the top execs of the nation's oil companies testified before congress. Well unlike when baseball stars of today and yesterday testified before congress about stuuuurroids in baseball, these top execs were NOT asked to testify under oath. Why you ask? Well maybe because of this:

Oil Chiefs Asked to Clarify Some Remarks

"The chief executives of five major oil companies were asked Wednesday to clarify their recent Senate testimony about the companies' involvement in Vice President Dick Cheney's energy task force four years ago.

Sens. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., and Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., made the request in letters to the executives after a published report said officials from four of the companies visited the White House complex in early 2001 to discuss energy issues with task force staff members.

The White House has refused to disclose contacts with industry representatives concerning the task force deliberations.

When Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., asked last week during a hearing on oil industry profits whether any of the companies' representatives had participated in the task force, four of the executives said they did not and the fifth said he did not know."

Yeah New Mexico and New Jersey REPRESENT!! Oh ok back to the point. The point is why the hell were these people allowed to testify not under oath? Why? Because the republican congress was trying to protect them. Why? Because the oil industry is lining their pockets.

Our democracy is dead folks. And the people in power want to drag it out into the street and run it over again just to be sure. Keep your eyes open, things are going to get ugly.

Tuesday, T Minus 3

2005-11-15T22:31:00.000-07:00

Well this from the Washington Times, not known for their journalistic independence, so take it for what it is worth.

Washington Times Reports Bush "Reclusive", "Feels Betrayed"

"The sources said Mr. Bush maintains daily contact with only four people: first lady Laura Bush, his mother, Barbara Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Undersecretary of State Karen Hughes. The sources also say that Mr. Bush has stopped talking with his father, except on family occasions."

Um, has our president gone off the deep end? And isn't he the one with his finger on THE BUTTON? Is this not scary for anyone else? I mean we are talking about a president who was already isolated and not getting opinions from outside of his inner circle. Now he is basically talking to only one White House official? Oh MY, the yes ma'am herself. This lady doesn't know how to have an opinion.

We are really screwed. My GOD people how did we vote this ass clown back into office?! My god!

Monday, T Minus 4

2005-11-14T22:49:00.000-07:00

When Jimmy Carter talks about our country's current state, you better listen to what he has to say.

This isn't the real America

"IN RECENT YEARS, I have become increasingly concerned by a host of radical government policies that now threaten many basic principles espoused by all previous administrations, Democratic and Republican.
...
Regardless of the costs, there are determined efforts by top U.S. leaders to exert American imperial dominance throughout the world.

These revolutionary policies have been orchestrated by those who believe that our nation's tremendous power and influence should not be internationally constrained. Even with our troops involved in combat and America facing the threat of additional terrorist attacks, our declaration of 'You are either with us or against us!' has replaced the forming of alliances based on a clear comprehension of mutual interests, including the threat of terrorism."

Just a preview, go and read the full commentary.

Also.

9/11 Panel Gives White House Mixed Review

"Reviewing action on recommendations it made last year, the Sept. 11 commission on Monday criticized the Bush administration for not adopting standards for treatment of captured terror suspects.
...
Their review gave the administration the grade 'unfulfilled' on the commission's recommendation that the United States develop a common approach with friendly nations on the treatment of captured terror suspects. The commission also had suggested the Geneva Conventions on the law of armed conflict should be applied to military prisons and secret detention centers.

What the Bush administration still needs to do, the review said, is to adopt standards for terror suspects that are in accord with international law.

'These standards should cover the treatment of detainees held by all elements of the U.S. government,' the former commission members said.

And, they said, 'the United States should work with its allies to develop mutually acceptable standards for terrorist detention.'"

Yeah with this idiot behind the wheel we have a long way to go.

shrub Dishonest?

2005-11-10T22:49:00.000-07:00

Well this is just surprising.

Poll: Most Americans Say Bush Not Honest

"Most Americans say they aren't impressed by the ethics and honesty of the Bush administration, already under scrutiny for its justifications for an unpopular war in Iraq and its role in the leak of a covert CIA officer's identity.

Almost six in 10 - 57 percent - said they do not think the Bush administration has high ethical standards and the same portion says President Bush is not honest, an AP-Ipsos poll found."

Seriously you are the worst president. God why did you people vote this ass back into office?

White Phosphorus

2005-11-09T22:30:00.000-07:00

Well there has been much talk in political circles in the last day about the U.S. Army's possible use of a substance called white phosphorus in operations in Iraq. This stuff apparently is nasty and can burn your skin and cause death rapidly. Apparently some civilians were found burned to death in Iraq.

U.S. used white phosphorous against Iraqi civilians, charges Italian TV

"Italian state television aired a documentary on Tuesday alleging that the United States used white phosphorous shells 'in a massive and indiscriminate way' against civilians during the November 2004 offensive in Fallujah.

The report said the shells were not used to illuminate enemy fighters at night, as the U.S. Government has said, but against civilians, and that it burned their flesh 'to the bone.'"

The army initially denied it. Then this was found on Daily Kos:

Daily Kos: US Army Admits Use of White Phosphorus as Weapon

"WP [i.e., white phosphorus rounds] proved to be an effective and versatile munition. We used it for screening missions at two breeches and, later in the fight, as a potent psychological weapon against the insurgents in trench lines and spider holes when we could not get effects on them with HE. We fired 'shake and bake' missions at the insurgents, using WP to flush them out and HE to take them out."

Then I found THIS also on Daily Kos:

Daily Kos: What I saw in Iraq with regards to White Phosphorus

" I was with a Marine Corps unit on the outskirts of An Nasiriyah, Iraq in March 2003...

A Marine Artillery battery was within 500 meters of our position and they were providing indirect fire support in support of ground operations occurring in and around An Nasiriyah. I recall them shooting at a target in a tree line, across the river, maybe 700-1000 meters to the east of our position. When the rounds were shot out, they seemed to explode over the target area. A dense white cloud rained down on the tree line and you could see some enemy vehicles attempt to flee the area. I knew from watching similar explosions in training exercises that the cloud raining down on the target area was a white phosphorus round. They shot about 5 of them from my recollection.

I recall thinking, 'Man, that is some evil stuff there.' Knowing what I know about Willy Pete, it would be a terrible way to die. White Phosphorus is supposed to be used to mark targets for aviation flying high over an objective area. And I know for a fact that no fixed-winged aviation was dropping ordnance in that area, it was too close to friendlies. I know this for a FACT..."

And finally to sum up this scary development, I found this opinion piece, which may be too intense for some to read so I will simply leave this link.

Daily Kos: Melting the Skin Off of Children [GRAPHIC]

Election Day

2005-11-08T22:32:00.000-07:00

Well today was election day in many places around the country. In Virginia they were voting for a governor to follow current Governor Mark Warner, a nice man, who I have met personally, and he might just run for president in 2008, we shall see. Well the good news is that the Democrat candidate for governor won.

Democrats Win Gov. Races in Va., N.J.

"Democrats swept both governors' races Tuesday, with Sen. Jon Corzine easily winning New Jersey and Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine taking Virginia despite a last-minute campaign push for his opponent from
President Bush."

Oh yeah and my home state of New Jersey elected Democrat candidate Jon Corzine as their new governor.

Back to Virginia, there is this little bit I wanted to highlight of course.

"Bush appeared at a Monday night rally with Kilgore Â the first public campaign appearance with the president in a state that twice voted for Bush.

'There's no way to spin this than anything other than a major defeat for Republicans and for President Bush,' said University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato. 'This is a red state, he came in on Election Eve and he had no discernible effect. ... If anything, he may have cost Kilgore some votes.'"

Lets hope this small trend continues.

Torture

2005-11-07T22:38:00.000-07:00

Bush Declares: 'We Do Not Torture'

"President Bush on Monday defended U.S. interrogation practices and called the treatment of terrorism suspects lawful. 'We do not torture,' Bush declared in response to reports of secret CIA prisons overseas."

Could have fooled me!

You f**king bastard! You have the audacity to LIE to the face of each one of us on national TV! What you have done in our name, is shameful, and if you believe in hell then I think you and all the people who condoned this will be there. You make me SICK. The fact that most of us are just turning our head and avoiding these facts is shameful enough as well.

You sir, don't deserve any mercy. You trivialize all of these very serious matters. You aren't living in reality, I don't think you realize the consequences of your actions. You don't realize that the people you sent off to war will be scarred for life (the ones that make it back that is). You don't realize that by torturing these people, some who are innocent, that you have effectively made it all the more likely that our troops, our men and women when captured in future conflicts will face the same treatment.

The damage you have done to our country is immense, and much of it irreversible. And you have the repugnant fortitude to say to US, "We do not torture"?!

F*CK YOU!

Libby Pleads; shrub Slides

2005-11-03T18:50:00.000-07:00

First up, the expected:

Libby Pleads Not Guilty in CIA Leak Case

"Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff pleaded not guilty to a five-count felony indictment Thursday in the CIA leak case, signaling a protracted court battle that is sure to prolong debate about the White House's prewar use of intelligence on Iraq."

So hopefully we can look forward to a court case with the Lord of Darkness in the stand. Maybe just maybe we will eventually learn the truth about what happened in the leaking of Valerie Plame's name. Ha ha, yeah we'll see.

Bush's Ratings Still Sink Over War, Court

"A new AP-Ipsos poll found Bush's approval rating was at 37 percent, compared with 39 percent a month ago. About 59 percent of those surveyed said they disapproved.

The intensity of disapproval is the strongest to date, with 42 percent now saying they 'strongly disapprove' of how Bush is handling his job - twice as many as the 20 percent who said they 'strongly approve.'"

Keep on sliding, sliding into obscurity.

CIA Secret Prisons

2005-11-02T22:15:00.000-07:00

Oh this little tidbit today.

US on the defensive over reported secret CIA prisons

"The White House refused to confirm or deny that the CIA operates secret prisons, known as 'black sites,' for Al-Qaeda suspects in Eastern Europe and other places around the world."

Um, not surprising, but what is happening in these secret prisons? Who knows?

"But former president Jimmy Carter denounced what he said was 'a profound and radical change in the basic policies or moral values of our country' in reaction to the report.

'This is just one indication of what has been done under this administration to change the policies that have persisted all the way through our history,' said Carter, who championed human rights during his 1977-81 presidency."

Exactly. The slope is getting slippery.

Happy Halloween

2005-10-31T22:29:00.000-07:00

And now for a real scare! shrub nominated another person to the supreme court today.

Bush nominates Alito to Supreme Court

"President George W. Bush nominated Judge Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court on Monday in a move that set up a showdown with Democrats but placated conservatives who bitterly rejected his last choice."

Well it looks like shrub wants a fight to solidify his base again. Ok a fight he is going to get. From what I have seen so far this Alito guy is so conservative he is actually to the right of Justice Scalia and Thomas.

I mean this guy dissented in overturning a Pennsylvania law which required women to notify their husbands if they were going to have an abortion. Do you not see where this is headed? How long does it take you bastards to understand that we don't WANT our government to legislate our private lives!? Leave us the f**k ALONE!! Don't tell us who to marry, don't tell us what to do with our own bodies, just stop it! Legislate to protect us from corporations, to protect us from foreign threats, to protect us from dangers of society.

Folks if you don't want our rights and liberties to be severely changed then we must not allow this nominee to pass. The republicans claim they don't like activist judges. The truth is they are only activist judges to them if they go against their ideology. The truth is THIS man is an activist judge, a conservative activist judge, and America can't afford to have him as a justice in the top court in the country for LIFE.

Libby Indicted

2005-10-28T16:22:00.000-06:00

Well it came down today after much waiting. I. Lewis Libby, Vice President's Chief of Staff and assisstant to the prez himself, was indicted on 5 counts. The special prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald indicated that the investigation was ongoing, and that another grand jury can be used for any further developments.

CNN.com - CIA probe 'not over' after Cheney's top aide indicted - Oct 28, 2005

"The CIA leak investigation is 'not over,' special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald said Friday after announcing charges against I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff.

Fitzgerald said he will be keeping the grand 'jury open to consider other matters.' But, he said, 'substantial work' is done.

Libby resigned Friday after a federal grand jury indicted him on five charges related to the leak probe: one count of obstruction of justice, two counts of perjury and two counts of making false statements."

I do suspect more is to come, but only time will tell.

Indictment Eve

2005-10-27T22:12:00.000-06:00

Well it is upon us. Tomorrow we will have at least one indictment, and it looks like I. Lewis Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, will be the one who will almost definitely get indicted tomorrow. It looks like Karl Rove may escape indictment, at least for now. But we shall see. Stay tuned.

In other news Harriet Miers withdrew her nomination for Supreme Court Associate Justice. And she did it at an interesting time, a time when this administration desperately needed something to take the spotlight off of impending indictments, and get his base back on his side.

Bush Stung As Miers Withdraws Nomination

"In a striking defeat for President Bush, White House counsel Harriet Miers on Thursday abandoned her bid to become a Supreme Court justice after three weeks of brutal criticism from fellow conservatives."

Well now we can look forward to an even more conservative person to be nominated to get the republican base back in line. So yay for that.

And lastly for tonight.
Bush campaign fund-raiser indicted

"A prominent Republican fund-raiser for President George W. Bush in Ohio has been charged with illegally funneling money to Bush's re-election campaign, a federal prosecutor said on Thursday.

A federal grand jury in Toledo charged Thomas Noe with making illegal contributions in the names of others to the Bush campaign and with making false statements to the
Federal Election Commission."

Well, indictments are just everywhere these days. And I am not surprised that someone was trying to work around election regulations to give even more money to shrub's campaign.

Well anyways, I am spent. Still sick, hopefully tomorrow will be a good day.

Waiting

2005-10-26T22:58:00.000-06:00

Well no idictments today. I was home sick today just watching the non developments on CNN.

In other news, imagine this:

White House list of disrupted terror plots questioned

"President Bush's claim on Oct. 6 that U.S. and allied intelligence operatives had foiled 10 al-Qaeda terrorist plots included plans on the group's wish list rather than fully formed attack plots, according to U.S. intelligence and counterterrorism officials.

In at least six of the cases, U.S. or allied forces arrested alleged conspirators who divulged details of operations they had been planning. Those plots involved preliminary ideas about potential attacks, not terrorist operations that were about to be carried out, said a U.S. counterterrorism official and an official familiar with the counterterrorism efforts. They spoke on condition of anonymity because information about the list issued by the White House is classified."

Oh I just can't believe that this administration would exaggerate their accomplishments on terrorism. I just can't believe it.

Man why did you people vote for this fool? He has been a disaster to this country.

Rosa Parks Dead at 92

2005-10-25T22:05:00.000-06:00

Well I am sick as a dog tonight, so I just wanted to recognize that a very important symbol of the civil rights movement in this country died yesterday.

Civil Rights Pioneer Rosa Parks, 92, Dies

"Mrs. Parks died Monday evening at her home of natural causes, with close friends by her side, said Gregory Reed, an attorney who represented her for the past 15 years. She was 92."

She lived a long and fruitful life, we should all be so lucky.

In other news indictments may be coming out tomorrow, although I have heard they may be sealed indictments and there may be a request for an extension of the grand jury's term. We shall see.

Lord of Darkness the SOURCE?!

2005-10-24T23:01:00.000-06:00

Well I have suspected this for some time now, but it looks more and more like a possibility now.

Report: Cheney Cited as Source in CIA Leak

"Documents in the CIA leak investigation indicate the chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney first heard of the covert CIA officer from Cheney himself, The New York Times reported in Tuesday editions."

Oh man, I wonder if the lord of darkness can wiggle his way out of this one, and just say that he had NO IDEA that she was an undercover agent?

I think this week is going to be big folks, I really do. I am trying not to expect too much, but I think this is going to be big. I could be wrong. Let's see what happens.

And what the HELL kind of wicked grin is that on Cheney's face in that picture?! Oh my that looks menacing as hell, dare I say maniacal. You know who it reminds me of?

Or how about this grin?

Ah comparing the vice president of the united states to an evil cartoon character is always so much fun.

SO long for now America. Better times are ahead for this fine country.

Despicable

2005-10-21T17:58:00.000-06:00

You know what, this is just despicable. I mean the federal minimum wage has not been raised since 1997! For god's sakes!

Senate Rejects Minimum Wage Hike

"A labor-backed measure by Sen. Edward Kennedy would have raised the minimum to $6.25 over an 18-month period. A Republican counterproposal would have combined the same $1.10 increase with various breaks and exemptions for small businesses.

The Kennedy amendment to a spending bill went down 51-47, and the GOP alternative 57-42. Under a Senate agreement, they would have needed 60 votes for approval."

Why oh why did these bills go down to defeat? This has happened when the congress has approved pay raise after pay raise for themselves. It's the height of hypocrisy! You people are awful! Yes Republican AND Democrat, whoever voted against this you should be ashamed.

"Kennedy, D-Mass., said Hurricane Katrina demonstrated the depth of poverty in the country and he pointed out that a single parent with two children working a minimum wage earns $10,700 a year, $4,500 below the poverty line."

Is there anything else to say? Really? I don't think so. Basically the United States of America has effectively, but not raising the minimum wage in 8 years, has effectively legislated people into poverty.

I know I know, they should just work harder or get more education, blah blah. Well you know what? Not everyone has all the opportunity that you and I have. And they deserve better than poverty. No one deserves to live in poverty. I am disgusted.

Brown Should Drown

2005-10-20T21:52:00.000-06:00

Yeah I said it. I don't hate many people, but this man is just AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL. Today some internal memos were released, and it is despicable.

FEMA Official Says Boss Ignored Warnings

"On Aug. 31, [single FEMA employee on the ground in New Orleans] Bahamonde e-mailed Brown to tell him that thousands of evacuees were gathering in the streets with no food or water and that 'estimates are many will die within hours.'

'Sir, I know that you know the situation is past critical,' Bahamonde wrote. 'The sooner we can get the medical patients out, the sooner we can get them out.'

A short time later, Brown's press secretary, Sharon Worthy, wrote colleagues to complain that the FEMA director needed more time to eat dinner at a Baton Rouge restaurant that evening. 'He needs much more that (sic) 20 or 30 minutes,' Worthy wrote.

'Restaurants are getting busy,' she said. 'We now have traffic to encounter to go to and from a location of his choise (sic), followed by wait service from the restaurant staff, eating, etc. Thank you.'"

YOU BASTARD!!! You can ROT! You have no idea how people live. You have no soul! Its just the height of ineptness, of cronyism. It makes me SICK. I can't even put into words. You should never have accepted the nomination to head FEMA (or rather be second in command at FEMA and then move to head). You thought you could just coast through this cush position, and no one would be the wiser. This is a disgrace!

"In an Aug. 29 phone call to Brown informing him that the first levee had failed, Bahamonde said he asked for guidance but did not get a response.

'He just said, [Thank you,] and that he was going to call the White House,' Bahamonde said.
...
In e-mails, Bahamonde described to his bosses a chaotic situation at the Superdome. Bahamonde noted also that local officials were asking for toilet paper, a sign that supplies were lacking at the shelter.

'Issues developing at the Superdome. The medical staff at the dome says they will run out of oxygen in about two hours and are looking for alternative oxygen,' Bahamonde wrote regional director David Passey on Aug. 28.

Bahamonde said he was stunned that FEMA officials responded by continuing to send truckloads of evacuees to the Superdome for two more days even though they knew supplies were in short supply."

And this F**KER had the audacity to go in front of the senate committee and blame everyone but himself for the failures!? Blaming local officials, and never admitting ANYTHING!

Oh my GOD I hope karma comes around and kicks you straight in the ASS!!!!

Delay Mugshot

2005-10-20T15:57:00.000-06:00

Where Our Country is Headed

2005-10-18T21:47:00.000-06:00

Well last night I promised that I would talk more about where I think our country is headed. This troubles me a great deal. I have only been on this planet a short 26 years, and I have not seen with my own eyes the things that many before me have seen.

I know this country has been through tough times before. But the difference I see, is our country was still building to the super power that we are today. I guess I see it as a peak, we have reached the threshold, and I look at the world and I see China and India growing and becoming a significant socio-economic force in the world. And the European Union, which could or could not be a strong world presence as well. It says to me that our days as the lone super power in the world are numbered.

One of the signs that I think indicate, to me at least, that we have reached the pinnacle, is when the world calls the US a "hyper-power", meaning we have surpassed being a super power and now our arrogance has drawn the ire of many nations. This is not how I want my country to be viewed in the world.

Another sign, when we start to become the filth that we are fighting. One of the most distressing things to me about the last four years, is the admission that torture has taken place in our name. I don't care what excuses or rationales are given for this abortion of due process, this is WRONG. And the fact that this is done in my name, in our fine country's name, upon the blood of our founders, and all those who have given their lives for this great country, makes me disgusted, and heartbroken.

Heartbroken that many in this country seem to think it is ok, it is a means to an end, that it is fruitful. It is NOT. Torture is torture, you can't claim that it is ok as long as we are not killing the person. You can't say it is ok because these are all terrorists. It never occurs to these people that there is a possibility that some of the people we have tortured are innocent. It never occurs to these people that WE could be mistaken?

I see a country that, especially in the last 10 years or so, has moved politically to the right. That has methodically labored to remove protections in our society. Protections for the poor, the weak, the unfortunate against the rich, the strong, the fortunate, the dare I say, bourgeois. Protections for the environment against the polluters. Protections of privacy for all. Protections for the right to due process. Yes I have seen a dismantling off all the things that government is actually good for. For protecting its citizens from the powerful, the powerful who are naturally prone to greed, prone to ever more power-hunger.

These free market ideologues, believe that there should be no government interference in the free market what so ever. That the market will naturally dictate the direction things will go. I say this is just not so, and it has been proven in the past. Capitalism is an experiment, and so far it has been largely successful, but it has also been paired with governmental regulations, and restrictions to fetter its true unbridled desires. But if this dismantling of government protections continues I believe the system that we will be left with will ultimately fail.

I do not like having this view, and there are many things between now and then that I think can change that trajectory, but the possibility lingers in the dark corners of my mind, and in the dark corners of the minds of many others as well I am sure.

So no my dear readers, and my political adversaries, I am NOT a communist, but I do believe that we ought to have a level playing field if this experiment in capitalism is to succeed in the long run. To be a sustaining force of support for ALL of its citizens.

I want my fellow citizens to wake up and see that the ways of conservatism, are not the ways to a sustainable future. The answer is NOT that we need an extremely small and neutered government. We can be free and still have the support of our government. As I THOUGHT the devastation and the aftermath of Katrina illuminated exclusively, there are times when we need our government to be a nimble and resourceful entity to save us in times of great tragedy of great need.

This is why society exists, because we as rational humans recognize that we cannot survive alone, we need the help of others, constantly. No matter how manly you may think you are, with your guns, and your garden.

And we DON'T need government to regulate our morality, to tell us how to live. We need them to regulate big business, and the economy so that we have the freedom to decide how we want to live. That is the ultimate freedom.

So let me try to answer my question, finally. I think we are headed in the wrong direction. I value our freedoms, and this is not an either or proposition. We can have freedom for all people and have rules to protect and level the field for each of us in this inherently flawed system. The answer is not to rig the system further for the benefit of abstract constructions such as the CORPORATION, but to fix the system so that real live human beings are TRULY equal.

Our President

2005-10-18T10:52:00.000-06:00

The top deer in the headlights, but unfortunately this deer has destroyed our great country.

Where I Am

2005-10-17T21:11:00.000-06:00

I have been writing in this blog for a year and 3 months, give or take a few weeks or so, and in that time much about my life has changed, much about my life has not.

I broke up with Leah after some 14 months or so, after thinking that I would be alone for some time, I found myself with another wonderful person in Ashley. We have been together for some five months off and on now. Actually pretty close to six months now. To me my life then, and my life now is very different.

But then I take a look and see that at the same time that I think my life is very different, it is again much the same. Very much the same. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in a house that I bought at the ripe old age of 24, in the severe outskirts of town, in an area that seems to betray my progressive sensibilities (Build that Paseo through those Petroglyphs, I need a better way to get home). I still work for the company that my grandfather, my hero in many ways, started after a long and fruitful career as a scientist. I still struggle with the notion that the ideas that I had when I agreed to come out here and, in a way sacrifice my career, have slowly faded into fiction, into dreams that I no longer objectively think I can achieve. I am still struggling with my own demons, demons of inadequacy, demons of guilt, and demons of fear.

Why do I mention all of this in a blog that I have kept mostly to politics, and rants along those ideological lines? Well because I want to say that the reason I started this blog was to give myself an outlet to prove to myself that I could produce something that I was truly proud of. That I could, on a regular basis, write from my heart, from my mind, in a way that could somehow prove to myself that I had validity that I had something to say, that I could make a difference, in some small way. Whether it occur through highlighting an obscure story that would fall through the cracks or rather fall outside of the filter that I believe alot of people have on information absorption, or whether it occur simply by pure persuasion of ideas.

I really believed that I could show people who maybe weren't completely sure if our president was doing what was right for this country. I really believed that I could, through regular introduction, convince people that our president was NOT doing what was right for our fine country.

I have apparently failed to convince enough people. The results of the last election really took the fervor out of my biting cynicism. I have been struggling ever since to regain that. I implore anyone who may have stumbled onto this small slice of the internet to go back to July, August, September of 2004 in my archives, to read the passion and thought that I put into nearly every blog post. Please don't judge this blog by my performance as of late.

So what this brings me to, is I am not sure what the future of this blog is. Maybe it has more to do with where I am than where this country is, after all we are in a time where shrub's approval ratings are at all time lows, and when a grand jury investigation is about to possibly reveal indictments for some of shrub's top brass, when the new media seems to MAYBE be growing a back bone, and serving their intended purpose as a watchdog fourth estate to call the guys in charge out on the mat, to prevent us from becoming what our founders fled, when more people seem to be realizing that the direction this country is heading in is a devastating one.

So I am torn. I have much more to say, and I believe that exciting times in politics are coming. I want to believe that I can somehow prove to myself that my discourse is worth conferring. I want to believe that I have a purpose.

So WHERE is this country heading? Tomorrow, I will try to answer that.